Town councillors are not going to call a by-election in Bicester to fill a vacancy because it would be too close to Christmas and the elections next May.

The political parties agreed that it would be better to wait until the whole of the 15-member town council came up for election in the spring.

The vacancy was caused by the death of East ward Conservative councillor, James Ball, aged 75, in September. Only days after his death, there was a by-election for a West ward vacancy caused by the resignation earlier of Stephen Mold, due to work commitments.

Norman Bolster, leader of the town council, explained that there had been informal talks with Labour and Liberal Democrat supporters.

Mr Bolster said: "No one wanted another by-election so soon after the other one in the West ward because election day would have been on December 19, just before Christmas."

He added that everyone also agreed that as the full council would come up for election in May it would be a waste of money to hold the by-election.

Bicester Town Council has 13 Conservative councillors, one Labour and there is one vacancy.