VOTERS are going to the polls in a city council by-election in Headington today. 

The election was called after Liberal Democrat Ruth Wilkinson stood down in the ward for family reasons. 

Stef Garden will take Ms Wilkinson's place as the party's representative, while Labour's candidate is Simon Ottino, who increased their support in the ward when he stood in May's local elections.

However, he faces an uphill task to unseat the Lib Dems, who won 1,140 votes to Labour's 504 in that election, with the Conservatives and Greens a distant third and fourth.

They are being represented by Georgina Gibbs and Ray Hitchins respectively.

Polls close at 10pm.