BY-elections to fill vacancies on Malvern Town Council and Malvern Hills District Council look set to be held on Thursday, May 4.

The vacancies on the town's Dyson Perrins ward and the district's West ward were created by the resignation of former Malvern mayor Julian Roskams last month after he was charged with possessing indecent images of children.

For an election to be held, ten people who are on the electoral register and live in the correct area have to contact the returning officer at Malvern Hills District Council requesting an election. If this is not done, the seat is filled by co-option.

In this case, enough electors contacted the returning officer to trigger by-elections at both town and district levels.

Nominations will now open on Monday, March 20, and if more than one candidate puts themselves forward in either contest, then a by-election will be held.

Interested candidates can contact Matthew Box at Malvern Hills District Council for a nomination pack by emailing matthew.box@malvernhills.gov.uk.

Thursday, May 4 is also the date of the Worcestershire County Council elections, with all 57 seats up for re-election.

Another vacancy in Malvern Town Council was filled last Thursday, March 9, when Matthew Fletcher was co-opted on to the council.

Four candidates for the seat made presentations to a special meeting of the council, after which the 17 councillors present held a ballot, which Mr Fletcher won.

This vacancy was created by the resignation of councillor Mike Charles, who quit after the council voted for an increase in its council tax precept.

Mr Charles subsequently protested that he and fellow residents had sent in enough requests to trigger a by-election to fill the vacancy, a claim that was rebuffed by Malvern Hills District Council, which said it did not get enough requests.