Local residents put first and foremost with policies that address their concerns: that’s what’s on offer from Our West Lancashire in the local elections, the group of Independents that's fielding candidates in Derby, Scott and Knowsley wards claim.

In Derby ward, Councillor Ian Davis, who has made a quick impact after his win in the by-election last June, is seeking a full four year term.

He told QLocal yesterday afternoon: "I got involved with OWL because I was sick and fed up with the two main parties spending all their time arguing instead of dealing with the issues that I and fellow residents face on a daily basis.”

In Scott ward, well-known activist, Jane Thompson (pictured left) is challenging the three-strong Labour councillor team, saying: "More than 600 local residents completed our residents survey earlier this year.

"From their responses we’ve identified a few core policies which we’ve all agreed to address. Beyond that though, we are all Independent to ensure we don’t have to follow instructions from party HQ and can fully represent the residents in our wards.”

The candidate line-up is completed with Kate Mitchell in Knowsley ward, who is standing for election for the first time.

“I am an active member of an Ormskirk resident group and despair at the amount of rubbish which has accumulated in various parts of our lovely town," she said.

"Being rather cynical of the two main parties, I was impressed at the visible 'hands on approach' that appears to be one of the key features of the Independents as a whole.

"They don't just 'talk' about action... they 'instigate' action!"

Our West Lancashire have core policies to address student housing; revitalising Ormskirk town centre; new swimming pools for Ormskirk and Skelmersdale; and funding the Wellbeing Centre for Older People after the Labour council cut all their funding two years ago. They would also cut the cost of councillors, reducing the councillor allowance to the Lancashire average and reducing councillor numbers by one-third.

*QLocal's Roger Blaxall is awaiting any sort of election communication from the Labour party (promised last Monday) the Tories and any other independents to post.

Just take a walk around our Town and see the state of disrepair! Both major parties have held office over many years. in My opinion they are as bad as each other, more concerned with the party line than the needs of the local people! Time for a change! Let’s put local none political people in office who have no party whips and no party line to follow their only concern is for the needs of the Town and its people.