A by-election in Kenton will take place on March 5 following the death of one of the ward’s councillors.

Cllr Bhiku Patel died from a heart attack while on holiday in India earlier this month.

He was known to many in the community as he ran a post office on Harrow Road, Wembley, with his wife Hansa for many years.

He was a councillor for the Tokyngton ward in Wembley, before winning a seat in the Kenton by-election in 2010.

The deadline for nominations to stand in the election is 4 on February 6 at 4pm and a full list of candidates will be published three days later.

Currently 9,224 people are registered in Kenton to vote in the by-election, but anyone who is not yet registered has until February 17.

Sean O’Sullivan, electoral services manager at Brent Council, said: “Turnout at by-elections traditionally tends to be lower than at all-out elections, but it is important to remember that it is the democratic right of residents, and some would say their civic responsibility too, to take part in our democracy and make sure they vote.”

Residents who want to cast their vote by post at the by-election, who are not already registered as postal voters, need to submit their application by 5:00pm on February 18.

Voters who are unable to attend a polling station also have the option to appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf.

Applications for a proxy vote must be submitted by February 25.

For more information visit brent.gov.uk/elections or call Brent Council’s electoral services team on 020 8937 1372, or email electoral.services@brent.gov.uk.