A double byelection has been triggered by the second resignation of a Conservative councillor in two weeks.

Councillor James White stepped down this week, just days after fellow Tory councillor Robert-John Tasker resigned.

The pair both represented Coombe Vale ward and their resignations leave Councillor Adrian Holder as the ward’s sole representative until the byelection, which is due to be held on Thursday, December 15.

Coun White, who has lived in the borough for over 40 years, was co-chair of the Maldens and Coombe Neighbourhood Committee and sat on the Pension Panel and Audit Committee.

Coombe Vale ward lies in the Richmond Park constituency, and the local Conservative association has started the process of selecting candidates.

The ward has elected three Conservative councillors at the last two local elections.

Last year the bottom placed Conservative was only 79 votes ahead of top placed Liberal Democrat candidate Julie Haines, while the ward was split between two Lib Dems and one Conservative in 2002.

Anyone wishing to stand as a candidate must complete a nomination paper and hand deliver it to the Returning Officer before 12pm on Friday, November 18.

For information about standing as a candidate and to request a nomination pack, contact Gareth Harrington on 020 8547 5035.

The deadline for registering to vote at the byelection is midnight on Wednesday, November 30, and the postal vote deadline is 5pm on the same day.

The deadline for applying for a proxy vote is 5pm on Wednesday, December 7.

For more information about the by-election visit kingston.gov.uk/elections or telephone 020 8547 5026.