Seven candidates want to represent Bilton Ward but only one of them lives there!

A record number of candidates are standing in the Bilton Ward by-election for Rugby Borough Council.

No less than seven people are fighting to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of conservative councillor, Craig Humphrey.

The other parties have brought in candidates from as far afield as Hinckley, Long Lawford and Clifton Upon Dunsmore to fight for this town ward. UKIP's candidate actually stood for Leicestershire County Council in 2013.

Only the Liberal Democrats are fielding a candidate who lives in Bilton Ward itself. Our candidate, grandmother and self-employed business adviser, Lesley George, stood for Bilton in this May's local elections. Lesley George, who lives on the Woodlands estate, is concerned about Rugby Borough Council's developers opportunity zone. This huge swathe of land running from Rugby's water tower right round to Cawston has been identified by the Council for potential housing. Already two planning applications have been lodged for new houses. http://rugbylibdems.org.uk/en/article/2014/892532/outline-planning-application-for-ashlawn-rd-west and http://rugbylibdems.org.uk/en/article/2014/859159/another-proposed-development-off-ashlawn-road . "It makes no sense that the Council is encouraging housing development whilst local services like St Cross Hospital have been cut back" said Lesley.

Under election law we declare that this article was promoted by Lesley George's election agent Richard Allanach of 27 Overslade Manor Drive, Rugby.