A by-election to choose a new town councillor for Monmouth's Drybridge ward takes place tomorrow (Thursday 25th July).

The resignations of Tory councillor Malcolm Jones and the Monmouth Party's Terry Ashton left spaces on both the Drybridge and Town wards – nominations for the Town seat open tomorrow and close on Thursday 1st August.

Drybridge will be contested by three of the four candidates who missed out in last year's election, Mark Williamson of the Monmouth Party (pictured below), Welsh Conservative Graham Pritchard (pictured below, right) and Chris Were of the Green Party.

Mr Pritchard said: "My aim is to represent the people in Drybridge.

"If elected, I would like to have an additional cemetry in Monmouth as the one we have is overcrowded.

"At the moment people need to travel further afield to bury their loved ones at a very difficult time.

"Secondly, I would like to see a minor injuries unit back in Monmouth. Currently people have to go to Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny for treatment, which clogs up the ambulance service.

"I would also like to see a new hotel being built in Monmouth, as I believe this would satisfy tourist trade."

Mr Pritchard is also a founder of Sunshine Radio, a former treasurer of Monmouth Bowls Club and founder member of Monmouth Petanque Club.

Mark Williamson has lived in Monmouth since 1999 and is best known for his fundraising exploits – he has raised more than £980,000 for charity and was last year chosen as an Olympic torchbearer.

He also teaches Tae Kwon Do in Raglan as a black belt instructor.

He said: "The Monmouth Party had one councillor elected last year, Terry Ashton, who worked tirelessly with the town council to ensure that CCTV was switched back on.

"He pressed for the introduction of open surgeries, enabling townspeople to meet with town councillors and put their views across and also lobbied for the setting up (and retention) of a Facebook page.

"I intend to carry on that excellent work, ensuring that local people have access to their town councillors on a regular basis so that policies reflect what local people want.

"I intend to listen to the people of Drybridge, find out what their problems are (rather than decide for myself what I think they are) and then work tirelessly on their behalf to resolve them.

"I came fifth in the last election and missed out by a handful of votes. I believe firmly that the town council should represent the people. There is no room for party politics.

"I don't have a set of policies, instead I aim to listen to what the people have to say and act upon it.

"I'm firmly tenacious and driven. I have an independant voice and have an allegiance to the people.

"I hope the people of Drybridge go out and vote, and by doing so will get the councellor they deserve, preferrably me."

Chris Were is the son of former Monmouth town mayor Ann Were and is the deputy leader of the Green Party in Wales.

He said: "I would like to improve the broadband in Monmouth. It is slow and unreliable so I would like to try and make improvements where possible.

"The majority of people rely on social media for their businesses these days so faster broadband would benefit business in Monmouth.

"Secondly, I would like to reduce the congestion. We have a great number of independent businesses here so it would be beneficial to reduce the congestion in the town.

"Finally, I would like to see a job centre back in Monmouth. Unemployment is high at the moment, particularly with the younger generation, so it would be nice for people not to have to travel to Abergavenny to sign on.

"I'm the youngest out of the candidates running for town councillor, I'm 25, which means I'm probably more in touch than my fellow candidates. Also due to my age I would bring more diversity to the council."

Mr Were is helping to set up the Monmouth Carnival and owns his own new media company called Chris Were Digital.

The polling station is situated at Rockfield Community Centre, Cornwallis Way, and will be open from 7am to 10pm.