THE May elections could cause a shift in Northwich's political landscape with the unexpected appearance of a new group of 'ordinary individuals' hoping to represent the town.

The Northwich Independent group features heavily in the list of candidates for the currently Labour led Northwich Town Council elections with one candidate also standing for Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), currently led by the Conservative Party.

Winnington woman Joanne Storey, who is standing for the town council along with her husband Wayne in the Winnington ward, said: "It's a group as opposed to a party and it's independent people who haven't got politics and aren't led by politics.

"It's ordinary individuals living around the town, involved in stuff around here and who just want what's best for normal, ordinary people.

"At town council level it shouldn't be about politics but about what's best for the town and and how we can get it done."

Phillip Bower, from Northwich Art Shop, in Witton Street, is standing as Northwich Independent for CWAC's Winnington and Castle ward and the town council's Northwich Bridge ward.

"I think people are confused about what the difference is between MPs, county councillors, town councillors and parish councillors," he said.

"I think people don't understand where powers are vested and I think there's an issue with people who take their national party ideologies into local town politics.

"Just because it's right for the national party doesn't mean it's right for your town.

"Northwich Town Council has done some wonderful things but there's an issue because its been a predominantly Labour led council sitting within a Conservative county council.

"I think that within local politics there's space for independence because what it allows you to do is work with all parties for the benefit of the community, the town and the county.

"You can have a different voice and it means you can stand behind good ideas and against bad ones."

Other Northwich Independent candidates standing for the town council include Jonathan Westerby, Melanie Westerby, Andrew Wilson, Wendy Batey-Grey, Jane Staley, Stephanie Cheadle, Alison Colyer, Karl Colyer and William Quayle.