A by-election date has now been confirmed after an SNP councillor said she would resign for personal reasons but continue to work for Kenneth Gibson MSP from Holyrood.

The date for the Dalry and West Kilbride by-election has been set for Thursday, August 12 following the recent resignation of Cllr Joy Brahim - who said stepping aside is the "right thing to do".

Potential candidates now have until 4pm on Friday, July 9, to submit their nomination papers.

Returning Officer Craig Hatton said: “This by-election has come quickly after the Scottish Parliament Elections so we are very well prepared to hold the vote and count.”

Voting will open for residents in the Dalry and West Kilbride ward at 7am on August 12 and polling places will remain open until 10pm.

The count, which is carried out electronically for local elections, will be held the following day, Friday, August 13.

Residents have until midnight on Monday, July 26, to register in time to vote in the election. The deadline for postal applications is 5pm on Tuesday, July 27.

Further details on the election can be found here.

Joy Brahim, who was elected to represent the Dalry and West Kilbride area for the SNP in 2017, told the Herald: “My election to this council has been based on my principal place of work being in Dalry.  As I have decided to change my place of work for private reasons, I believe that stepping aside to make place for someone who either lives or works in North Ayrshire is the right thing to do. 

“The communities in the Dalry and West Kilbride ward are home to kind people and spirited community groups, and I know that my successor too will enjoy working with and for them.

“I am grateful to everyone I have worked with over the past four years including Council officers, fellow Councillors, local SNP activists and especially the Leader of the SNP Group, Cllr Marie Burns.

"I will continue to work for Kenneth Gibson MSP from Holyrood and extend my very best wishes to all.”