VOTERS will go to the polls in Gourock tomorrow as five candidates contest the town’s by-election.

A new councillor is to be elected in Inverclyde West after Labour’s Martin McCluskey stood down from the role following his election as MP for Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West in July.

Five candidates will stand in Thursday’s by-election: John Burleigh (Reform UK), Ian Hellyer (Labour), Robert Kirkpatrick (SNP), Chris McEleny (Alba) and Ted Runciman (Conservative).

Each of the hopefuls made a final pitch to voters in the Telegraph today.

READ MORE: Gourock by-election candidates: Why you should vote for me

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm, with voting open to all registered voters aged 16 or over in the area.

Voters are urged to check the details on their poll card carefully as their station may have changed since last voting.

Ballots will not be counted overnight. They will be taken to the Municipal Buildings in Greenock, where the count will get underway at 10am on Friday.

It is hoped a result will be announced at around midday.