Former deputy mayor will challenge MP

FORMER city councillor Paul Breeze is to stand in the Stoke-on-Trent Central seat at this year's General Election.

The 57-year-old has put himself forward as an Independent candidate as he tries to unseat sitting MP Mark Fisher.

The former Stoke-on-Trent deputy elected mayor joins Conservative belly-dancer Norsheen Bhatti, British National Party deputy leader Simon Darby and Liberal Democrat John Redfern, of Knypersley, in the running for the seat. And Alby Walker, the former BNP leader on Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and housing campaigner Eve Maley, of Northwood, are also considering whether to stand against Mr Fisher.

Father-of-three Mr Breeze, who is chairman of Hanley One Residents' Association, said: "The forthcoming General Election offers a fantastic opportunity to break free from the same, failed party politics that is leading Stoke-on-Trent nowhere."

Mr Fisher, who has a majority of around 9,000, has held the seat since 1983.

The constituency takes in the council wards of Abbey Green, Bentilee and Townsend, Berryhill and Hanley East, Hanley West and Shelton, Hartshill and Penkhull, Northwood and Birches Head, and Stoke and Trent Vale.