Note: Voters in Wareham will still be able to vote for their candidates for Dorset Council. It is only the town council election which has been affected.

DORSET Council has confirmed that the elections for Wareham Town Council, scheduled for this week, have been cancelled until further notice following the death of one of the candidates.

Eric Llewellyn Osmond MBE passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 25. He was a serving Wareham town councillor and member of the Liberal Democrat party at the time of his death.

A statement on behalf of the Mayor, councillors and the staff of Wareham Town Council said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of a very respected and much loved friend and councillor, Eric Llewellyn Osmond, who passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon.

"Eric, known fondly as 'Mr Wareham in Bloom' by his fellow councillors was co-opted onto Wareham Town Council in January 1991 and has served faithfully for the past 28 years. During his time, he has served on the majority of Town Council committees and was Chair of Wareham in Bloom for many years achieving great honours for the town in this regard.

"Eric was elected to Purbeck District Council in May 2003 and served for 12 years in that role. He was Chairman of the council for three years from 2010-2013.

"He was awarded the MBE in the 2013 New Years Honours List for services to local government and in particular for his work for and chairmanship of Wareham in Bloom.

"Eric was Mayor of Wareham Town Council for the years 1995 and 1996 and again in 2010.

"Details of his funeral arrangements will be posted in due course and I am sure you will all wish to join us in sending our deepest sympathy to his wife Renata and his family at this sad time."

Following the sad passing of Cllr Osmond, Dorset Council has taken the decision to postpone the planned election for Wareham Town Council on Thursday, May 2 until further notice.

It said: "The Election has been countermanded due to the death of one of the candidates.

"A poll will not now take place on Thursday 2 May 2019 in relation to Wareham Town Council.

"All other local elections in the Dorset area are going ahead as planned on 2 May."

All candidates that remain validly nominated will not need to complete fresh nomination papers at the new election that will be held on a date to be confirmed within 35 days, excluding days that are not used for the calculation of election timetables, of Thursday, May 2.