THE selection process for a Herefordshire Council by-election has come under fire from a Leominster man who says his nomination papers have gone astray.

Musician Christopher Thomas, 26, wanted to run for the Leominster South seat next month and posted his nomination papers five days before deadline.

“I wanted to stand independently – involve young people a lot more and not be involved in political parties – and be a voice for the people,” he said.

But when he called election officers after the closing date they said the forms were not there.

“They just said to me there was nothing they could do about it,” he said.

Herefordshire Council said in order to stand nominations had to be received by September 5 and there was no record of them having arrived.

Alan McLaughlin, deputy returning officer, said: “We have no record of any application having been received by Mr Thomas by this cut-off date, or since.”

Labour has pulled out of the campaign to back Mayor of Leominster Peter McCaull, an independent.

Councillor Chris Chappell, Labour group leader on Herefordshire Council, said support for him was agreed by party branches across the county.

The contest is a crucial test for the council’s ruling Tories, after it was called following the death of their sitting stalwart, Councillor Dick Burke, and they have pinned their hopes on one-time Leominster town and district councillor Keith Miles.

Taxi firm boss Matthew Lane is geared up to be the Liberal Democrat challenger while former care worker Joan Thwaites will stand for the Greens.

The Leominster South by-election will be held on October 2.

● The names of three candidates standing in a Hereford parish election on the same day have also been confirmed.

Neil David Barrington, Adrian Nevil Bridges and Stuart Taylor all want to be the next Belmont rural parish councillor following an election at The Belmont Community Centre on Eastholme Avenue.

Proxy votes can be arranged by calling 01432 260107 before September 24.