TOTNES is about to launch into its fourth town council election battle in a little over six months — two of which have been for exactly the same seat.

The town goes to the polls on Thursday to find a replacement for veteran town councillor and former mayor Ian Slatter who died suddenly last November.

It should have been filled in January when uncontested Green Party candidate Richard Fairfax effectively won the seat and then pulled out at the last minute giving a cryptic excuse which appeared to indicate some sort of rift with fellow Green, Totnes county councillor Paula Black.

The town and district council had to go to the time and expense of launching the election procedure all over again.

This time they received three candidates after the seat: Green Party candidate Anna Lunk, Liberal Democrat Robert Vint and independent Les Hills.

Polling will only involve voters living in the 'town' ward. It starts at 7am and continues until 10pm.

Polling stations are at Follaton House, Totnes Civic Hall and the Methodist Hall in Fore Street.

The Green Party managed to claim victory in the two previous elections involving town council seats.

In July last year Jacqi Hodgson won the poll contesting the seat which independent Emily Rogers had stepped down from.

In November Alan Gorman took the town council seat left vacant by Liberal Democrat Geoff Date.