CANDIDATES have been announced for next week's by-election in Throop and Muscliff.

Veteran opposition councillor Anne Rey, an independent, resigned from Bournemouth council in November after 26 years, announcing plans to spend more time in Spain for health reasons.

The authority currently has 51 Conservative councillors, one independent - former Tory Steven Bartlett - and the Green Party's Simon Bull.

The by-election takes place on Thursday, January 18, from 7am to 10pm.

Candidates include Cllr Bull's wife Jane, for the Green Party.

They would not be the first husband and wife pairing on the council, others include Conservatives Michael and Anne Filer.

Kieron Wilson, who stood as an independent in June's General Election picking up 304 votes, is also standing.

Hazel Allen is standing for the Conservatives, Rob Bassinder for Labour, Peter Lucas as another independent, and Muriel Turner for the Liberal Democrats.