CONSERVATIVES in Crewe have announced their candidate for a by-election which looks likely to be postponed because of Covid-19.

Teja Vaddala has been selected to fight the Crewe West ward on Cheshire East Council. Previously, Labour had announced Connor Naismith as their candidate, while Brian Silvester will also be on the ballot sheet representing Putting Crewe First.

The by-election, brought out by the passing of Labour councillor Brian Roberts, was shelved last year because of the lockdown.

Now it is in doubt, along with local council elections across the country on May 6, with the third national lockdown in force.

It has suggested all elections are delayed, possibly until the autumn, to ensure polls can take place safely. Last week the government began contacting local councils to seek views on what should be done.

Issues of people congregating at polling booths and door-to-door canvassing are driving concerns. Holding postal votes only has been ruled out.

But when the by-election does take place Mr Vaddala says he will be seeking election so he can tackle parking charges in Crewe and Nantwich and improvements to local roads.

Mr Vaddala, a software engineer and who does voluntary work in the community, says the Crewe West ward needs "a change".

He said: "Over the past two years the Labour-led Cheshire East Council has failed to support small businesses in Crewe and has failed to deal with high car parking charges as promised in their manifesto.

"Labour Councillors across Crewe have failed to successfully lobby the Cheshire East