A RECALL petition has opened to decide if Hay-on-Wye's Conservative MP will keep his seat after false expenses claim conviction.

Former Hay-on-Wye veterinary practice manager and auctioneer Chris Davies, 51, whose constituency covers Hay-on-Wye on the Herefordshire border, tried to split the cost of photographs between two office budgets by faking invoices when he could have claimed the amount by other means.

Brecon and Radnorshire voters wanting to sign the recall petition will be able to do so until Thursday 20 June at venues in Hay-on-Wye, Presteigne, Crickhowell, Llandrindod Wells, Brecon and Ystradgynlais.

A by-election will be held if 10 per cent of the electorate - 5,303 voters - sign.

Mr Davies would be able to contest a by-election, if one takes place.

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow confirmed the recall petition last month, after Mr Davies was given a community order of 50 hours unpaid work and a £1,500 fine, at Southwark Crown Court.

In a statement, Mr Davies has apologised to his constituents for "making such an error", saying he very much hopes to continue serving Brecon and Radnorshire.

Apart from Spring Bank Holiday Monday, the venues will be open from 9am until 5pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, 8am until 5pm on Tuesdays, and 9am until 8pm on Wednesdays.

People registered for postal votes will receive a signing sheet to return if they want to sign the petition.

Signatures will be counted at the end of the six-week period, and the total figure returned to the Speaker, who will then approve publication of the results.

Mr Davies is the third MP to face such a petition, following one in Northern Ireland and another in England, under the Recall of MPs Act, which came into force in 2016.