Four register to stand for seat in the council

Quartet in line-up after tragic death of Councillor McDonald

- JUDITH TONNER

Four candidates have registered to stand in next month's Larkhall council ward by-election.

Gary Burns of the Conservatives, Fiona McDermott of Reform, Leigh Payne of the SNP and Chris Roarty of Labour will be the names on the ballot paper when local residents go to the polls on July 9.

The by-election follows the death of popular councillor Lesley McDonald, who passed away in April following a short illness, and the winning candidate will become one of four councillors for the multi-member ward on South Lanarkshire Council.

SNP candidate Leigh Payne says it is "an honour" to be standing and said: "I care deeply about our community and I'm committed to being a strong local voice who listens, understands local concerns and works hard for residents.