A by-election for the vacant Ashton seat on Wigan Council will be contested by three candidates next month following the death of the popular and much-loved Coun Anthony Sykes. The 51-year-old was well known among local residents for riding his Harley Davidson, shredding the guitar in his band and his hands-on approach to work – even delivering groceries to people on his motorbike during the Covid lockdown.
Elected in 2018 as a Labour councillor, he was involved in many campaigns in his ward. Tributes poured in for the ‘adored’ character following his death at the end of September - which left his council seat vacant.
Labour’s Andrew Bullen, Conservative Paul Martin and Liberal Democrat Geoffrey Matthews will battle it out for votes to fill the vacancy in what is currently an all Labour ward.
