THE candidates of a by-election which was prompted following the death of a councillor have been unveiled.

The Dalton South by-election, which will take place on Thursday May 5, will be contested by Shaun Blezard for Labour, Des English for the Conservatives, and Dick Young for Ukip.

The three men have been setting out their plans and priorities for the ward as the campaigning gets under way in the town. 

The seat on Barrow Borough Council was made vacant following the death of Councillor Bill Bleasdale who represented the Conservatives.

Dick Young (Ukip)

Mr Young, who works as a wagon driver, is determined to become the first Ukip councillor on Barrow Borough Council.

The 55-year-old said: "I've lived here basically all my life. I moved here when I was six.

"I want to ask the people what they want me to do. I'm not just one person on my own.

"I want to be the person that represents the people in Dalton.

"I'd been of the view that what will be will be and the brochures only come through the door at election time when they want your vote but it doesn't have to be that way."

Shaun Blezard (Labour)

If Mr Blezard wins the by-election then it will take the number of Labour councillors on Barrow Borough Council to 28, increasing their majority.

Mr Blezard said: "There is a real sense of community here and, if elected, I will work extremely hard to represent the ward.

"I became active in politics because of concerns about how the Tory government cuts are affecting people in our community.

"Being a carer for a disabled partner, I am aware of how these so-called savings are hurting people.

"I want to help those Labour councillors already elected to provide the best defence against those cuts that we can."

Des English (Conservative)

Mr English will be hoping to maintain the Conservative hold on the Dalton South ward and draws on his previous experience on Barrow Borough Council as reason why he is a reliable candidate.

He is campaigning on six main issues which were highlighted to him during a survey he conducted himself, including the re-instatement of the school crossing in Market Street, more litter bins and a Tuesday market at the Drill Hall.

He said: "I'm giving it my best shot and I thought the best way to do it is to see what people wanted.

"I did a survey stopping people in the street and asking them what they want. The Market Street crossing was locally important.

"We used to have a market in Nelson Street and quite a lot of people would like to see it in the town."

Why is the by-election taking place?

Cllr Bleasdale died suddenly on January 7 at the age of 76 and was well known locally as a lay minister and church warden.

The election is taking place on the same day as the vote for Cumbria's new police and crime commissioner.

No candidates from the Liberal Democrats or the Green Party will contest the seat.