THE by-election for Highercroft ward in Blackburn with Darwen will take place on Thursday March 23.

It was caused by the death of sitting Labour councillor Don McKinlay in January

The Labour candidate is Adam Holden, a business support worker educated at Our Lady and St John school and a graduate of Blackburn College.

It is the second by-election in Highercroft ward in four months after Amy Johnson replaced her father Mike as councillor in December following his death in October.

The UKIP candidate is Ian Grimshaw who stood in December coming second.

The Conservative candidate is former councillor Maureen McGarvey.