THREE Helensburgh residents are set to do battle in a by-election for the town's community council.

Louise McCormack-Fisher, Bill Purdon and Simon Vella are all in the running for the two available spaces on Helensburgh Community Council.

The by-election, which will take place on May 2, is being held following the death of Norman Muir, who had been HCC's convener, in October, and the decision of another HCC member to move overseas.

Voting is by postal ballot and packs will be sent out to voters over the coming weeks.

All three candidates have provided supporting statements in the hope of attracting the backing of local residents.

Ms McCormack-Fisher said: "As of April, my family will have lived in Helensburgh for 12 months, and we feel extremely fortunate living in a community that clearly cares about one another.

"I am a serving Royal Air Force officer of 23-years and have a breadth of experience of living in different communities that I feel could be beneficial as a member of Helensburgh Community Council.

"I enjoy putting forward useful ideas and suggestions and being actively part of a community as it provides opportunities to connect and engage with others, to work together to improve all of our lives and build valuable relationships."

Mr Purdon added: "Since relocating to Helensburgh from Cyprus, where my wife and daughters were residing for 12 years, I have been a stalwart supporter of local developments.

"The town has so much wellbeing, growth potential and untapped resources that the future, for this previous bustling town on the north shore of the Clyde, is bright, if correct decisions are made for the benefit of all and not just the few.

"Having been secretary and chairperson of several local and international professional organisations, and being a company managing director, I feel that I can be of benefit to the community of Helensburgh."

Mr Vella added: "Having moved to Helensburgh three years ago I am hugely passionate about the potential the town has to offer and want to be an active voice and representative for our community.

"My experience in marketing and my commitment to supporting the local community already, through my involvement with the Hermitage Academy PTA, makes me a strong candidate for joining the local community council.

"I would be particularly keen to focus on initiatives that help support local businesses, and make Helensburgh a ‘destination’ and place that people want to live/stay in for all ages."

Visit https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/my-council/elections for more information.

Helensburgh is the only community council anywhere in Argyll and Bute where a contest will be held to fill the vacant seats.

By-elections are also taking place in Rhu & Shandon and in Cove & Kilcreggan, but in each case the number of people who put their names forward is smaller than the number of places available.

Eight Rhu and Shandon residents put their names forward: Fiona Baker, Nicholas Barton, Arnold Bretman, David Lang, Allan MacFadyen, Calum McNicol, Robert Stuart and David Whitham.

And six more, Kenneth Barlas, Katherine Gostick, Sheena Lamont, Lydia McKenzie, Ellen McVey and Anne Strachan, were validly nominated in Cove and Kilcreggan.

There are also 10 uncontested by-elections for community councils in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands, 12 in Oban, Lorn and the Isles, and nine in Bute and Cowal.