Voters in the Cramlington Eastfield ward will go to the polls on August 22 following the resignation of Tory town and county councillor Christine Dunbar in June. Coun Dunbar had served the ward since 2017.

Voters will also be electing a second new Cramlington town councillors after Christine’s husband, Norman, also stepped down from his role. Labour’s candidate is James Gillooly, a law student at Newcastle University and the vice-chairman of the Cramlington and Killingworth Constituency Labour Party (CLP).

Announcing him as the candidate, Northumberland Labour leader Coun Scott Dickinson said: “James’ passion and dedication to help deliver change for Cramlington and represent views of his fellow residents is there for all to see.

“I was proud to see so many good candidates for members to choose from. Cramlington deserves good representation and this by-election is the opportunity to do that. Cramlington have the opportunity to vote for change at County Hall early and send James to be part of our team.

“I’d be delighted to see James around the table putting the people first with the rest of the team.”

Speaking after the selection Mr Gillooly said: ‘ I’m delighted to be selected as the Labour Party candidate to contest the Eastfield by-election and I am looking forward to speaking with residents over the coming weeks to hear how we can work together to bring about change. Cramlington has been badly let down by the Conservatives at County Hall – from potholes to grass cutting, they’ve neglected the basics.

“Eastfield deserves better and I am honoured to have been selected by our local members as their candidate.”

James is also standing for the town council alongside Michael Pearce.