The election for two parish councillor vacancies in Meopham will take place on December 12.

The two seats come after the death of Cllr Hugh Marshall, who represented the ward of Culverstone and Harvel, and the resignation of Mark Everson, for Nurstead and Hook Green.

The candidates for Nurstead and Hook Green are Rosalie Knott, of Strand Close, and Christopher Morris, of Wrotham Road.

The candidates for Culverstone and Harvel are Tony Leyshon, of Wrotham Road, and Dennis Reacell, of Harvel Street.

Polling cards for the elections will not be issued.

The polling stations will be at the Scout hut, just off Wrotham Road, for Nurstead and Hook Green ward, and Harvel Cricket Pavilion, Vigo Village Hall and Culverstone Community Centre for the Culverstone and Harvel ward.

They will be open from 7am-10pm.

Meanwhile, all Meopham Parish Council meetings from December 10 will now take place at 10.45am rather than in the evenings, as is traditional for most local authorities.

The move has been criticised by parish councillor James Ferrin, who said: “Meetings taking place at 10.45am discriminate against anyone who works, both the public and councillors alike.”

The council said that the changes were adopted on November 12 and follow the Model Standing Orders produced by the National Association of Local Councils, with amendments made by Meopham councillors.