The Conservative Party has announced its candidate for the Royston Palace by-election, which will take place next month.

Callum Bartram-Bell will stand in the election on Thursday, October 17, running to fill the seat vacated by North East Herts MP Chris Hinchliff.

Callum said: "I am hugely honoured to have been chosen as the Conservative Party candidate for Royston Palace ward in the forthcoming by-election.

"I have called Royston home for several years and am very aware of the local issues. I have also been speaking with residents and attending council meetings.

"If elected on October 17, I will ensure all residents are equally heard and represented.

"This will include providing strong opposition to Labour’s proposed cut to the Winter Fuel Payment, which could impact over 23,000 residents in North Hertfordshire whilst, more locally, holding the Labour administration in Letchworth to account for the local services provided, including opposing the new bin contract.

"This will see Royston residents going to three weekly collections for the residual bin, which many residents I have already spoken to are heavily critical of."

Cllr Ralph Muncer, leader of the Conservative group at North Herts Council, said: "Labour has already shown a failure to deliver on the priorities of residents in North Hertfordshire.

"Only the Conservatives are standing up for residents in communities across North Hertfordshire and delivering effective opposition against the Labour administration."

Labour's candidate for Royston Palace is Sarah Lucas, who says she is "committed to supporting" community organisations and businesses.

She has been endorsed by Mr Hinchliff, who said: "Sarah is a committed activist and member of our community, who I know will stand up for Royston Palace.

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"As a resident of the town, I am excited to see Sarah representing our community."

Gill Lewis, who has lived in Royston for 42 years, will run as the Liberal Democrat candidate, and says she feels "fantastically placed" to represent her fellow residents.

North Herts Lib Dem leader and Royston councillor Ruth Brown said: "Royston residents can rest assured that with another Lib Dem councillor, they'll have a representative that will work hard for them all year round."