A former police officer and an economics graduate will contest the Breckland Council by-election for the Mid Forest seat south west of Swaffham.

The election was called following the resignation this month of Conservative councillor Bernard English because of ill health.

Former police officer Mike Nairn will stand for the Conservatives. He is chair of Weeting Parish Council, and raised the issues of EU environmental regulations which he said inhibited development, public transport and technology infrastructure.

His Labour opponent Alex Vyse, a 22-year-old economics graduate, said he had been involved in various community activities and was very hard working.

The by-election will be held on Thursday July 26.