MEET Phil Tickle — leader of the newly-formed People's Party.

The 40-year-old — who was left with brain damage when he was involved in a bad road smash as a youngster — has already drawn up proposals including free unlimited heating for the elderly and a mentor scheme to help disabled people such as himself find work.

The Farnworth resident says his party, the UK's newest political movement, will work for the good of Bolton residents and he is hoping the electorate will give him a big thumbs-up.

Mr Tickle, who lives with his parents and six-month old puppy Chester in Avondale Avenue, said he has toyed with the idea of standing for council in Farnworth for a year.

The party will take the best ideas from across the political spectrum to get the best for people across the borough, the former Labour supporter explained.

He said: “I don’t think the parties are doing enough for the people.

“There’s Tories arguing with Labour, Labour arguing with Tories and UKIP is always arguing with them both.

“I think all parties should look at each other and pick the best bits. It doesn’t matter if it’s Tory, UKIP or Labour, if it’s right for the people.”

Mr Tickle has only worked intermittently through the years, after a bad road traffic accident when he was 10 years old left him with brain damage.

He said this experience has given him ideas for policies that would make a difference for disabled people.

“Setting up a political party isn’t just something I thought of last night when I was having a cup of tea”, Mr Tickle added.

“I’m registered disabled and have struggled to find work, so I would also want to set up a supported employment scheme, where unemployed people are given a mentor.

“I could do a job for between 12 to 14 hours a week, it could help me, boost my self-esteem and I’d be contributing to society.

“I’m particularly concerned about the elderly coming into winter who need to put on the heating and are worried if they can’t afford to it.

“I would say to pensioners – keep your heating on for as long as you like, and the energy companies can pick up the bill. They make massive profits each year and can easily afford to write it off.”

Mr Tickle is asking people interested in joining his party to contact him by calling 01204 571143.