FIVE people are vying to replace Leigh MP Jo Platt as a councillor for the Astley Mosley Common ward.

The mum-of-two from Tyldesley stepped down as one of Labour's three representatives for the ward at the beginning of the month, triggering a by-election to be held on Thursday, October 19.

Political parties had until Friday to nominate their candidates for the vacant seat.

The candidates for Labour and the Conservatives both live in Astley.

As well as Labour’s Paula Wakefield and the Conservatives’ John Stirzaker, residents have the options of voting for the Liberal Democrats’ Stuart Thomas, from Wigan, the Green Party’s Andy Prentice, from Worsley, and UKIP’s Allan Hogg, from Tyldesley.

Mrs Wakefield, 37, said: “It is a huge privilege to have been chosen to represent my community of Astley and Mosley Common in this by-election.

“I am a local mum who was brought up and still lives in the area so I understand the concerns of the community and issues facing local families.

“The council has faced huge cuts from this Conservative Government, with more still to come.

“It is important that Astley and Mosley Common has a Labour representative who will make sure the voices of the community are heard and that the most vulnerable in our society are supported and vital services are protected from austerity.”

Mr Stirzaker, 58, a boatmaster for the Canal and River Trust and a trustee of the Astley Youth Band, said: “This election is about electing a councillor to represent the people of Astley Mosley Common and who will speak up on their behalf and get the best deal for the community. I can provide that strong voice.

“I care passionately about Astley and how it has been let down by Wigan's Labour council.

“I will fight against any proposals to build on our green spaces. We also need a solution to the chronic congestion on our roads and an improvement in public transport.

“I will also campaign against waste and inefficiency by the Labour council.”

Mr Thomas, 27, said: "The people of Astley Mosley Common have long been expected to listen and not be heard.

"I have increasingly become concerned with the democratic integrity of Wigan Council and it is my wish to fight for the people of Astley Mosley Common and give them a fresh voice.

"Together we can start holding Wigan Council to account."

Mr Prentice, 35, a first-time candidate who works as a music teacher and a composer and lives in the ward with his partner Julia and their daughter, said: “I know how much our community values our green spaces, and like many people here I want future generations to enjoy them as we currently do.

"I responded to the first consultation on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and found it a difficult experience – I know so many people across Greater Manchester stuck with it like I did, but I wonder how many more were put off by the process.

"I want Wigan Council to work harder to listen to the views of local people, on this issue and on so many others.”

Mr Hogg, 64, who has vowed to address problems with adult services, traffic, public transport and limited youth facilities if elected, said: " I was born in Mosley Common and have lived in Astley and Tyldesley all my life.

"I feel passionate about the way our area is deteriorating.

“Our council says it has no money and is cutting services, yet it has loaned millions to other Labour councils and has millions more saved up for a rainy day. 

"If you vote for me I promise I will fight all the way to get your voice heard and your concerns addressed."

Miss Platt had represented the Astley and Mosley Common ward on Wigan Council since May 2012.

In August UKIP chairman for Leigh Jayson Lomax-Hargreaves criticised Miss Platt for not giving up her role as a ward councillor following her General Election win at the end of May.

He claimed she would no longer be able to serve the people of Astley and Mosley Common to the best of her ability and said that being paid by taxpayers in two positions is 'totally inappropriate'.

Miss Platt responded by saying she would continue to do her best for Astley and Mosley Common until it is in the best interests of the ward to stand down and that she had not claimed any expenses from the council since becoming an MP.