LITTLE Lever and Darcy Lever residents will have a new party to vote for in the forthcoming May local election.

The new party, Little Lever and Darcy Lever First, is now registered with Bolton Council after having its constitution approved and key officers appointed.

Co-founder and leader of the new party Sean Hornby has been a councillor in the area since 2006.

He said: “We’ve always been local councillors tackling local causes. We’re not playing party politics anymore. We’re here to represent the people and they will come first as they always have done."

The former UKIP councillor said his old party has 'done its job,' and the move to set up this new party 'seemed the natural progression.'

He added: “We’ve worked very closely with the other first parties – Farnworth and Kearsley First and Horwich and Blackrod First. We started to see that we had a lot in common.

“As we approach the local elections it’s all systems go. Putting Darcy Lever and Little Lever first.”

Rees Gibbon will be standing in the election. The 82-year-old co-founder of the party was elected to represent the area for UKIP in 2016.

After the Brexit vote went through, Mr Gibbon said UKIP 'lost interest'. 

He added: “They lost touch with councillors. There was no support at all.”

This is when the pair decided that independent was the way forward to concentrate solely on the matters closer to home.

The Bolton News: Mr Hornby and Mr Gibbon Mr Hornby and Mr Gibbon

They have both been actively associated with many recent developments in the town, including the new state-of-the-art cealth centre and library.

Emma Hornby at opening of Little Lever Library opening

Mr Gibbon, who ran the popular pub the Jolly Carter in the area for 34 years said: “Policy-wise, it’s all about Little Lever and Darcy Lever. That’s it. I want to finish what I started here.

“I’ve lived here almost all my life. I fetched my family up here. I started a very successful business here. I help out at church. I want to give back.

“People know who I am and know I’m honest. I’m very passionate about this place.”

Cllr Hornby said: “We’re accessible. We’re contactable 18 hours of the day. We’ll have regular ward surgeries. We’re approachable.

“Quite a lot of people are wanting to be involved. It’s got a lot of impetus. A lot of enthusiastic people.”