A Conservative county councillor has accused the Labour Party of a "terrible waste of taxpayers money" over a town council by-election.
Voters in the West Wylam area of Prudhoe are taking to the polls on Thursday to decide on a replacement for councillor and school caretaker Rob Blackburn.
Coun Blackburn resigned from his post in January after failing to attend any council meetings for six months. The former independent councillor cited a lack of time as the reason behind his departure.
Read more: Northumberland County Council accused of 'blocking democracy' over 'bizarre' public questions rule
The Labour Party said they felt local communities should be able to choose their candidate no matter the level of local Government.
Coun Gordon Stewart, who represents the Prudhoe South ward that includes West Wylam on Northumberland County Council, said the Labour Party's decision to call an election would see Prudhoe Town Council forced to pick up the bill.
He said: "When a vacancy arises on town or parish councils there is a facility in place which allows the remaining councillors the opportunity to advertise for local people to apply to take up the vacant seat via interview and co-option, saving taxpayers huge sums of money.
"It would appear that yet again the Labour Party have called an election whilst dismissing that option, therefore diverting Prudhoe council taxpayers hard-earned money into this election rather than what local people want and need. This is a by-election for a town council seat, there is no place in such a council for petty party politics, at the expense of local services."
The two candidates for the town council seat are Independent Jennifer Burn, who lives in West Wylam, and the Labour Party's Paddy O'Kelly, whose address is given as "in Northumberland".
Coun Stewart also criticised the Labour Party for an extensive campaign carried out in the West Wylam ward.
He added: "Labour held a campaign day in West Wylam the day after the nominations closed, this was planned weeks ahead with leaflets printed and doors knocked upon. Many of the canvassers were from outside the town and this shows they were not waiting to hear if someone local was going to stand against their candidate."
Responding to Coun Stewart's concerns, a spokesman for Northumberland Labour said: "Coun Stewart may think that local democracy is a waste of money - and we can see how democracy is often overlooked by the Conservatives in Northumberland - but we very much believe at whatever level of local government communities should be able to choose their candidate and know what they believe in."
Polls close at 10pm on Thursday. The polling station will be at The Manors on Adderlane Road in Prudhoe.
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