CANDIDATES for next Thursday's (Feb 23) Keighley Town Council by-election have explained why they wish to serve their community as town councillors.

The vacant seat in Bogthorn and Exley Ward is being contested by Martin Walker, of Wood View Road, Bogthorn, and Mohammed Ansar Ali, of Victoria Road, Knowle Park.

Mr Ali is married with three children and works for a pharmaceutical firm in Skipton.

He said: "I've been very active and have been working to improve community life in Keighley for over 13 years through various voluntary roles.

"I am passionate about the local area and hope to be a voice for people.

"I will work tirelessly with passion, dedication and commitment to offer a voice for local concerns, and will do the very best I can for the people of Bogthorn and Exley Head."

Mr Walker is retired and was previously in charge of the foreign books collection at Liverpool Central Library then head of Picton Reference Library in Liverpool.

After moving to Yorkshire in 2001 he worked in Yorkshire Ambulance Service's Patient Transport Service for nearly 10 years.

He said: "I genuinely feel I can make a difference. I have a lot of experience of the town council through being consort to my wife Sally when she was town mayor."

He said he was keen to help address local issues such as speeding traffic on Oakworth Road.

He added he is also concerned about the impact major, approved new housing developments at Occupation Lane and on the former Bronte School site will have on the ward.

The polling station for next Thursday's by-election is at Exley Head Methodist Church, in Wheathead Lane. This polling station will open at 7am and close at 10pm.