THE widow of a leading Tendring Councillor who died from a stroke is to stand in the by-election for his seat, it has been confirmed.

Tendring First, the second biggest party on Tendring Council, has now said it will not contest the seat, in Clacton’s Burrsville ward .

Tory councillor Charlie Sambridge, 71, who was also councillor responsible for technical services, was taken ill at a council meeting on July 22 and died later.

His widow, Pam, who is standing for the party in the September 24 election, said it had been an “awful” time, but she wanted to continue her late husband’s work.

She added: “I want to stand to carry on the work Charlie had started.

“He had a number of projects going on, such as cleaning up the area and getting the number 10 and 11 buses running again. He had a lot of support in this area and I want to carry on for those people.”

Former Burrsville Primary School headteacher Joyce O’Brien is standing as a Lib Dem, challenging alongside Green candidate, Chris Southall, of Burrs Road, and Labour’s Max Morris, of Severn Road.

The election result could change the balance of power on the council. At present, the Conservatives are only in power by dint of the Tory chairman’s casting vote.

If anyone other than Mrs Sambridge were to win, the opposition would have a majority in the council chamber.

Tendring First says it is not fielding a candidate as Burrsville is not one of its target areas.