A SECOND by-election is set to be staged in Rossendale after it was confirmed that the new Heywood and Middleton MP, Liz McInnes, has resigned from the borough council.

The former Rawtenstall Longholme ward councillor narrowly saw off the challenge from UKIP to secure the North West constituency, following the death of Labour stalwart Jim Dobbin.

Town hall election officials, under returning officer and borough chief executive Helen Lockwood, have now established a timetable for the by-election.

She must receive notice from at least two electors to fill the vacancy, which would trigger an election within the next 35 days.

Earlier this month the Tories comfortably held Helmshore, in a by-election prompted by Amanda Milling’s resignation.