An attempt to solicit candidates to stand as parish councillors in Porlock has failed.

It was intended to hold a by-election to elect two new councillors with polling on September 10.

An official notice inviting applicants was formally published at the beginning of August.

But Duncan Sharkey, the Electoral Services Returning Officer for West Somerset Council, has confirmed that no nominations were received.

It’s not the first time an attempted election for parish council seats in Somerset has failed to draw candidates.

And in Porlock there have been repeated struggles to fill vacancies - with an election earlier this year leaving unfilled vacancies, and in 2003 an attempt to fill five seats also attracted no nominations.