Voters in Tovil in Maidstone are being asked to go to the polls this coming Thursday to elect a new parish councillor after its chairman Mike Hogg resigned.

Mr Hogg, who had only been elected as a councillor a year ago, had proposed at its September meeting that the parish council be disbanded after criticising the work of its staff. When his suggestion found no traction with the rest of the council, he left the meeting along with another parish councillor - his wife Sue Hogg.

The parish council subsequently passed a vote of no confidence in his chairmanship and the following day, Mr Hogg resigned from the parish council.

The election will be held on Thursday, October 24, with residents casting their ballots at their normal polling station.

There are two candidates: Adam Hogg and Ash Young.

Adam Hogg is Mike Hogg's son. Mike Hogg's daughter Abigail Hogg is already a Tovil parish councillor as is his other son Roger Hogg.

Mr Young, 32, is a delivery driver, with a young child, who said he hoped to do something to improve the parish for future generations.

The parish has invited both candidates and the public to attend a meeting at the YMCA Community Centre in Barfreston Close at 7pm on Wednesday, the night before the election, to give a short presentation and to answer questions from the voters.

In the meantime, Cllr Paul Wooding has been elected council chairman, with Cllr Gary Butler as his vice-chair.

The election will be organised by Maidstone Borough Council, but the cost will be born by the parish and is expected to be in the region of £2,900.

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