A third by-election for Breckland Council will be held following the resignation of a councillor due to ill health.

Bernard English has stood down as Conservative councillor for the Mid-Forest ward, south of Swaffham. He was elected unopposed in last year's district council elections.

Conservative agent Ian Sherwood said: 'As agent I am very sad to hear that Bernard has had to stand down because of ill health. He stood for us for the first time last election and I know he has thoroughly enjoyed his work as a district councillor representing his area.

'We wish him well, and thank him for his time serving the party and the local people in his ward.'

By-elections have already been called in the Queens ward in Attleborough and the Harling and Heathlands ward near Thetford after sitting Conservative councillors resigned because they had moved out of the area and wanted to avoid a conflict of interest respectively.

The Queens by-election will take place on Thursday July 19, while that in Harling and Heathlands will take place a week later on Thursday July 26. A date for the Mid-Forest seat contest has yet to be set.