A by-election is set to be held in Belmont soon after a Conservative councillor stepped down from his post.

Patrick McManus, who was first elected in May 2014, resigned this past Friday (August 31), a Sutton Council spokesman confirmed.

He added the by-election will be held on October 25, while further details will be revealed soon.

Sutton Council opposition leader Cllr Tim Crowley said: “When Patrick took the view he could no longer be a councillor, he stepped aside immediately so that a new ward councillor could be elected by the residents of Belmont without delay.”

Mr McManus first became a Belmont councillor in 2014, alongside David Hicks and Jane Pascoe, before all three were re-elected earlier this year.

He served on the council’s environment and neighbourhood committee, scrutiny committee, as well as the Sutton South, Cheam and Belmont Local Committee.

Cllr James McDermott-Hill said: “It is with regret that we note Patrick McManus has resigned as councillor for Belmont.

“We would like to thank Patrick for the service he has given to the public since he was elected in 2014, and we wish him well for the future.”