Nominations are now open for the upcoming Community Council by-elections in the Helensburgh and Lomond areas.

The by-elections on June 28.

Vacancies exist on 12 Community Councils in Argyll and Bute. Nomination packs are available at Customer Service Points and can also be downloaded at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/elections

The nomination process closes on Thursday, May 24, at 4pm.

As the most local tier of elected representation, Community Councils play an important role in local democracy.

They are comprised of people who care about their community and want to make it a better place to live.

Community Councils bridge the gap between local authorities and communities, and help ensure that public authorities are aware of the opinions and needs of the communities they represent.

Most Community Councils also involve themselves in a wide range of other activities which might include fundraising for local projects, running community and educational events, or organising environmental projects.

There are currently 56 Community Councils within Argyll and Bute, covering every geographical area from Cardross in the east to the island of Tiree in the west.

There are vacancies in the following areas; Cove and Kilcreggan with 11 spaces and Rosneath and Clynder and Cardross each have 10 vacancies each.