Twas the days before Christmas, when all through the town, a by-election was called — a councillor to crown!

It will be the third time in 13 months Islanders have gone to the polls to fill a vacant seat on the Isle of Wight Council — first in Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet and then in Wootton Bridge earlier this year.

Now it is Ventnor and St Lawrence's turn after the former representative, Conservative Gary Peace, stood down for personal reasons.

Three candidates have come forward to fill the position — Ed Blake (Conservatives), Steve Cooper (Labour) and Ray Harrington-Vail (Liberal Democrats).

The by-election will take place today (December 21) with votes able to be cast from 7am to 10pm.

With increased demand in the postal service around the festive period, voters who usually use postal ballots can drop off their completed papers at polling stations during the open hours.

The polling stations will be at:

  • The Green Room in Salisbury Gardens, Dudley Road
  • St Lawrence Village Hall, Undercliff Drive

Voters will need to bring photo ID with them to the polling stations to vote.