THE race is on to fill a seat on Dudley Council left vacant by the death of one of the senior members of the authority.

The by-election in the Wollaston and Stourbridge Town ward, caused by the death of Conservative Cllr Malcolm Knowles in October, which is being planned for Thursday January 31.

The Tories have selected Stourbridge tree surgeon Matt Rogers as their man to contest the seat, where the party lost two councilors to Labour during local elections in May.

Labour are hoping their candidate, Barbara Sykes, will make it three gains in a row when voters go to the polls in the New Year.