VOTERS go to the polls on Thursday in what has been described as a crucial Canterbury city council by-election.

Four candidates are standing in the North Nailbourne by-election which was called following the resignation of Conservative Bill Oakey.

Mr Oakey, 60, stepped down at the end of last year when a recruitment business, for which he was a personal guarantor, went bust and he was declared bankrupt.

He held one of the 24 Conservative seats in the council, which is controlled by a Lib Dem/Labour coalition with 26 seats.

The North Nailbourne ward includes Bridge, Patrixbourne, Bekesbourne and Bishopsbourne, and the four candidates standing are John Anderson (Conservative), Janet Horsley (Lib Dem), John Moore (UK Independence Party) and Paul Todd (Labour).

Returning officer Colin Carmichael stressed: "It is important that people take the time to cast a vote and play their part in the democratic process. The council is close politically so this is a crucial by-election."

The polling stations are at Bishopsbourne, Bridge and Bekesbourne village halls. Polling will be between 8am and 9pm and the count will start at about 9.15pm at the council offices in Military Road, Canterbury.