A BY-ELECTION will take place in the Aveley and Uplands ward on Thursday, December 4.

Thurrock Council made the announcement following the funeral of former ward councillor Maggie O'Keeffe-Ray, who passed away last month at the age of 62.

She had been UKIP councillor for the ward since May - serving alongside husband Robert Ray.

Maggie's Funeral was held at St Michael's Church in Aveley on Friday afternoon.

The hearse carrying her body to the church passed outside the council offices in Grays, where officers and Steve Liddiard, the Mayor of Thurrock formed a guard of honour.

At a meeting last week, Mr Ray paid an emotional tribute to his late wife, saying she saw being a councillor as the "highest form of civic duty".

The lifelong Thurrock resident had been battling a brain haemorrhage since she collapsed on Saturday, August 23.

Her condition had improved, but sadly, the damage was too severe.

The by-election in December will the second this year.

A council spokesman said: "People who have not registered to vote must ensure their application reaches the Electoral Registration Officer at the Elections Office, Second Floor, Civic Office 1, New Road, Grays, Essex RM17 6SL by midnight on Tuesday, 18 November.

"Residents can register by completing an application form, telephoning the helpline 01375 652816 or online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. 

"All new applications to register to vote require your National Insurance number and date of birth.

"Any applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Wednesday, 19 November and applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Wednesday, 26 November.

"Nomination papers may be obtained from the offices of the Returning Officer, Thurrock Council, Civic Offices, and must be delivered by hand to the Elections Office no later than 4 pm on Friday, 7 November 2014."