Seven candidates have been formally nominated for election to the vacant Norbury and Pollards Hill council ward.

Labour councillor Maggie Mansell died last month following a short illness, having served the area for 25 years.

Candidates from the main parties, as well as two independents, have put their names in the running for the March 14 election.

Leila Ben-Hassel - Labour

Leila Ben-Hassel is currently vice-chair of Croydon north Labour. She describes herself as a proud European and feminist.

By day she is a public realm project manager for the City of London.

Selected over four other candidates by her local party, this will be the first time she has sought election.

Tirena Gunter - Conservatives

The Conservatives have selected Tirena Gunter, who has previously lost six elections in the area.

Her last campaign was in Norbury five years ago.

Guy Burchett - Liberal Democrats

The Lid Dem's candidate stood and lost in Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood last May.

He works as a communications manager at a global business in London’s West End. A late-comer to politics, he joined the party in 2017.

Rachael Chance - Green Party

Rachael Chance also stood in Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, with similar results.

She has worked in the third sector, sustainability and digital fields.

Kathleen Garner - UKIP

UKIP's candidate previously stood as MP for Croydon South in 2014.

Margaret Roznerska - Independent

Independent Roznerska, from Thornton Heath, has already begun leafleting.

She says she is "an independent candidate, single mom, entrepreneur, three master degrees graduate and the most vibrant personality as you ever met."

Mark O'Grady - Independent

O'Grady is the unknown candidate at this stage. He is said to live in the area.