A beleagured north Suffolk parish council is hoping to start the new year by finding suitable candidates to fill two vacant seats.

Walberswick, near Southwold, recently attracted attention from outside the village after it was revealed the parish council was struggling to cope with the volume of requests for information from a same small group of residents.

In the last two years, more than 500 submissions have been made under the Freedom of Information Act, requiring the parish clerk to work more than three times her contracted hours.

Earlier this month, it was proposed by a group of 10 villagers that an election be held to fill the seats on the council left vacant earlier this year.

Candidates for the two vacant seats have until noon on Friday, January 6 to put themselves forward for election by handing completed nomination forms to Suffolk Coastal District Council's elections team at Melton Hill, Woodbridge.

If more than two nominations are received, voters in Walberswick will go to the polls on Thursday, February 2.

Candidates must be over 18 and either a British, Commonwealth or EU citizen. They must have worked or resided in or within three miles of the parish for 12 months prior to the election.

Nomination papers must be signed by two electors and a proposer and seconder registered to vote in Walberswick.

Papers can be obtained from the returning officer on 01394 444329 or from the distrcit council's website.