Two elections being held tomorrow

West Berkshire residents will be taking to the polls to cast their votes

WEST Berkshire residents will be taking to the polls tomorrow (Thursday) to vote on the next Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, while residents in Newbury’s Victoria Ward will also be able to vote on who they want to fill the vacant seat on Newbury Town Council.

Seven candidates are vying for the seat on Newbury Town Council which was left vacant after Conservative councillor Emma Green stood down in February.

The candidates standing in the Newbury Victoria Ward by-election are Dr Craig Hughes (Conservative), Gary Puffett (Labour), Elizabeth O’Keeffe (Liberal Democrat), David McMahon (UKIP), Steve Wallis (Green Party), David Yates (Apolitical) and Lee McDougall (Newbury Community Football Group).

You can read brief biogs on each candidate and the issues they hope to tackle if elected here

While residents across West Berkshire will also be electing their Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner who will be responsible for holding the chief constable and police force to account on the public's behalf.

They oversee how crime is tackled in the area and aim to make sure the police are providing a good service.

The candidates hoping to be elected as the Thames Valley PCC are Anthony Stansfeld (Conservative), Laetisia Carter (Labour), John Howson (Liberal Democrat) and Lea Trainer (UKIP).

To read what the candidates had to say in the election run up click here

Voting for both elections will be held between 7am and 10pm with polling stations for the Victoria Ward by-election at Communal Hall, Hutton Close Main Building, Hutton Close; Newbury Baptist Church, Cheap Street; and St Nicolas Church Hall, West Mills.

Those voting in the PCC elections can find their polling station by entering their postcode here http://www.westberks.gov.uk/pollingstation