A devoted attendee at town council meetings and a former borough councillor are going head to head in an election.

The fight is for the seat on the Wilmslow East ward of Wilmslow town council, which became vacant when Coun Matthew Hodgson resigned in January.

The two candidates are Dave Cash, an independent, and Conservative Adrian Bradley.

Mr Cash put himself forward for the council when it formed last year and has attended each meeting in the public gallery.

He has lived in Wilmslow for 39 years since joining ICI at Alderley Park and is semi-retired after a sales and marketing career in pharmaceutical companies.

He said: “Several residents feel there should be an election, rather than 14 Conservative members co-opting someone of the same party.

“The town council will have increasing commitments as Cheshire East devolves more responsibilities.

“It needs to encourage a thriving business sector while encouraging more residents with a community focus.

“More housing will be required but our green spaces and facilities are threatened.”

Adrian Bradley, who lives on Handforth Road with his wife Margaret, has lived in Wilmslow for 30 years and was a finance manager at Ford.

The grandfather of four was a councillor on Macclesfield borough council and Cheshire county council between 1998 and 2009.

He said: “I  know the town councillors and already have a good working relationship with them.

“I think the vision for the Local Plan is tremendously important.

“There’s a danger it will be left to the professionals but it’s vital the community get involved, those who live and work in the town.

“I’ve worked in finance and will be able to work with the finance committee.”