A by-election to be held in the ward of the Epsom councillor who died in an accident at the Brands Hatch race circuit has been announced.

Robert Foote, who previously served as the mayor of Epsom and Ewell, was described as a "much-loved" councillor after his death while volunteering as a marshall on Saturday, July 31.

Now, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) have announced the preliminary details for the by-election which will be held in the Cuddington ward he represented as a councillor.

On Tuesday (August 17), an EEBC spokesperson said that the by-election would be held next month, on September 23.

"Further to the tragic news regarding the recent death of Councillor Robert Foote, a by-election will be called for the Cuddington ward of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council. This will take place on Thursday 23 September 2021.

"Cuddington ward, in the north of the borough, has three seats on the Council, at present all three are held by the Residents Association.

"The formal call for candidates and notice of the election will be issued this week," a council statement read.

Councillor Hannah Dalton meanwhile pointed out that EEBC had a legal obligation to stage the by-election soon.

She said they had held of announcing the vacancy until now "as a mark of respect".

"We are legally required to call a by-election as soon as possible and have held off posting the note of vacancy as a mark of respect, both to Rob and to his family," she said. "I spoke with Rob’s family last week to make them aware of the situation and they confirmed to me that we should go ahead and call the election."

Dalton said that Foote's funeral would take place on Friday, September 10, and would be a "small, private ceremony" for invited family and friends, adding:

"Whilst it cannot be stipulated that candidates do not canvass on the day of the funeral, I would hope that as a mark of respect that political groups, candidates, and election agents will give this consideration".