A ROW has erupted over who called a Poole by-election, which is set to cost council tax payers £18,000.

The resignation of Newtown ward Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Plummer in July has resulted in voters being called to the polls in September, eight months before a full council election.

A by-election would not have been held if the full elections were less than six months away.

The vacancy was advertised by the council and two Newtown electors responded, which triggered the election.

A Conservative election leaflet has accused the Lib Dems of “wasting council tax payers’ money”. But the Lib Dems have said they were happy to carry on with one less councillor and it was the Tories who triggered the poll.

Conservative agent Cllr Peter Adams admits that he spoke to the two residents who wrote in but said: “We didn’t call it, we can’t call it as a party. The election was caused by the person resigning.”

Newtown voters will be going to the polls on September 9.