A council by-election is set to take place next month in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

The election has been called to replace former Conservative councillor for Ascot and Sunningdale, John Story, who has stood down on health grounds. It is set to take place on Thursday, October 17.

Maureen Hunt, leader of the Conservative group at the Royal Borough described said Mr Story had been a ‘high calibre councillor’ during his 18 years there. She said: “John will be greatly missed within the Conservative team in the council. He is a true gentleman, extremely professional and a high-calibre councillor. We wish him all the very best for the future.”

Four candidates are standing to replace Mr Story. They are Sally Coneron for the Conservatives, Nigel Ivan Hayward for the Labour Party, George Jezard for the Liberal Democrats and Matt Newman for the Borough First Independents.

Conservative candidate Sally Coneron says she lives in Sunninghill with her husband and three children, has ‘a family background in local politics’ and ‘a strong desire to make a difference in my community’.

George Jezard says he was ‘born and raised in Sunninghill and Ascot’ and has ‘taken an active part’ in Victorian Street Fayres and Parties in the Park’.

The Borough First Independents say Matt Newman wants to stop parking charges, advocate for flooding solutions, push for CCTV on Station Hill and ‘work to address traffic congestion’ on Sunninghill High Street.