CAMPAIGNING residents opposed to proposed development on the Victoria Ground plan to quiz candidates in a forthcoming by-election before deciding who to support.

The election to choose a councillor to represent Sidemoor ward will be held on Thursday, February 19.

It has been caused by the resignation, because of work commitments, of Labour's Paul Stokes. He has moved away.

Sidemoor encompasses the Victoria Ground, which since last summer - when secret plans for its possible re-development were exclusively revealed by this newspaper - has been the centre of controversy.

Residents living near the ground have organised themselves into a fighting force called Our Bromsgrove.

They oppose the district council's plan to develop the ground and surrounding land, in partnership with an investment company.

It will be the first time voters in the ward will be able to show their feelings on the issue.

An Our Bromsgrove spokeswoman said: "We will spend next week speaking to candidates from all parties to ascertain their views regarding the Victoria Ground and protection of all other green spaces that have been left to the people of Bromsgrove.

"We will then support the candidate we feel is the best one for the area, taking into account this and other issues of the ward."

She added that the group will field an independent candidate, if it feels it is not being fully supported.

Until the local elections of May 1999 Sidemoor was reckoned to be a solid Labour seat. But that was overturned with the shock election of two Tory women candidates and the ousting of Labour leader Trevor Porter.

Cathy Mole was the only Labour survivor and she opted not to stand in last spring's elections. Then two Labour councillors, one being Cllr Stokes, won both seats available. He polled 435 votes, top of the poll was Bill Newnes with 588 and the Tory, Sally Harfield, who will again be the Conservative candidate, was not discredited with her 388 votes.

Denying rumours Mrs Mole this week ruled herself out of the contest for which nominations close on January 23.

Labour is still to name its candidate, while the newly formed Independent group is also expected to enter the fray.