NOMINATIONS have now closed for the Rush Green by-election on July 16.

The candidates are Sam Atkinson (Lab), Richard Everett (Ukip), Danny Mayzes (Con) and William Hones (Ind).

Ukip candidate Richard Everett, 56, who runs a handyman business, said: “I am really proud to have been selected by Ukip to fight the by-election.

“My particular skills around fighting ill-judged planning applications will be of considerable use to the ward as the local Tories are hellbent on building 12,000 houses in Tendring, many of them in and around Rush Green.

“I would be delighted to have the opportunity to represent Rush Green and look forward to working hard for local people.”

Former Ukip activist William Hones, whose brother John is a Ukip councillor, is standing against the Ukip candidate as an independent.

He has previously hit out at councillors who joined the breakaway group and Ukip HQ for failing to take strong action against them.

Labour’s Sam Atkinson said: “I want to make Clacton a better place and I feel passionate about it.

“I feel time and time again the people haven’t been listened to – and I will listen.

“I will be fighting for the streetlights to be put back on and for any housing that we do have to accept, I will be calling for infrastructure to be put in place first.”

The Conservative candidate is Danny Mayzes, a former council chairman, who was first elected to represent the ward in 2007, aged just 19.

He lost his seat to Mr Sibbald on May 7.

Mr Mayzes said: “I am disappointed for the residents of Rush Green that their Ukip councillor quit after only a few weeks in the job. However I am delighted that I have another opportunity to represent Rush Green, my home.

“Local people know how hard I work and I have proven this over the past eight years – with a promise of four more.

“I will continue fighting hard on the things that matter – and I won't quit when things get tough.”