A council vote is set to be postponed in one Sunderland ward following the tragic death of a candidate during campaigning.
"Dedicated and conscientious" local politician Reg Coulson, 76 died suddenly this week after a day speaking to voters in the Copt Hill Ward, where he had been standing for a council seat. A town councillor for East Rainton, on Hetton Town Council, Coun Coulson had stood a number of times for the Copt Hill seat on behalf of the UK Independence Party (UKIP).
Sunderland City Council's returning officer has formally confirmed that voting in the ward will be rearranged. All the other 24 polls in Sunderland on Thursday, May 5 will continue as planned.