Postal voting packs are now on their way to voters in Wick and East Caithness ahead of the Highland Council by election on Thursday 1 October.

The packs were sent by first class mail on Friday 18 September as voters prepare to choose a new councillor following the resignation of Willie Mackay.

Five candidates are standing for the vacant seat, with the electronic count due to take place on Friday 2 October.

They are Dave Buchanan, Independent, Julie Calder, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Charlotte Gibson, Scottish Conservative and Unionist, John Glen, Scottish National Party, and Iain Richmond, Reform UK.

Highland Council is urging postal voters to read the instructions carefully when completing their ballot to make sure their vote can be counted.

Each pack contains a postal voting statement, ballot paper, return envelope and instructions explaining how to complete and return the vote.

Anyone who has requested a postal vote cannot subsequently vote in person at a polling station.

However, completed postal voting packs can be handed into a polling station within the Wick and East Caithness ward between 7am and 10pm on polling day if there is not enough time to return them through the post.

Anyone who has not received an expected postal pack by Friday 25 September should contact the Highland Election Office for a replacement.

People voting in person should already have received a poll letter showing which polling station they should use and are being advised to check the details carefully before polling day.

The election will use the Single Transferable Vote system used for Scottish council elections, meaning voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than placing a cross beside one name.

A number 1 should be placed beside the voter’s first choice, followed by 2 for their second choice and continuing for as many candidates as they wish to rank.

Voters do not have to rank all five candidates.

The by election follows the resignation of Willie Mackay, who stepped down as a Highland councillor with effect from 4 July.

Wick and East Caithness is a four member ward, with Raymond Bremner, Andrew Jarvie and Jan McEwan continuing to represent the area.

Polling stations will open at 7am on Thursday 1 October and close at 10pm, with the successful candidate determined when votes are counted electronically the following day.

The list of polling stations can be viewed on the council’s website