THE cost of democracy in Wellington is shooting up with voters having to go to the polls again in February to elect a new town councillor for Rockwell Green.

A second by-election in a matter of weeks has been triggered after Independent Cllr Sue Fox resigned following the sudden death of her husband.

Candidates to succeed her will be able to put their names forward from January 7, with polling taking place on February 12.

It is the sixth vacancy to occur on the town council since the last full elections were held for the 15-seat authority in 2022.

An earlier by-election only took place at the beginning of November, with the cost of the exercise put at £6,000.

All 15 councillors will face elections in May, 2027.