NESTON residents have until Friday to apply for a chance to join the town’s new council.

The 18-seat council, serving an electorate of more than 12,500, has a budget for 2009/10 approaching £120,000.

It covers Neston, Parkgate, Little Neston and Riverside wards and Ness.

Legally a parish council, it has already changed its name to Neston Town Council because Neston is ‘a very old market town’.

The move, proposed by Cllr Tom Marlow and seconded by Cllr Abdul Jilani, was agreed at the inaugural meeting.

Councillors voted in Cllr Moira Andrews as chairman.

It is now seeking a councillor for Riverside ward. Residents aged 18 and over can apply.

They should contact the council’s interim administrative officer, Pauline English, at 25A Hinderton Road, Neston, CH64 9PE or email engy02@ntlworld.com.

The council is hoping to appoint the new councillor at its meeting on Tuesday.