A former Liberal Democrat will stand as an independent in the ward he has represented for 12 years.

David Watkins who has been a Brighton and Hove city councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide ward since 1999, was refused approval to stand for re-election by his fellow party members last year.

After months of consideration, Coun Watkins has now confirmed he has resigned from the national party and is now an independent member on the local authority.

The former city mayor said local residents were instrumental in his decision to stand again in the May local elections.

It is the second Lib Dem resignation in as many weeks after James Doyle, who sits on Worthing Borough and West Sussex County Council, blamed “broken promises” at a national level.

For full report see today's Argus.