As well as the traditional parties going head-to-head at next week’s local elections, there will also be a number of independents hoping to win a seat on Halton council.

Independent candidates – local people who are not affiliated to any party – have enjoyed some national success over the last few years.

At the last English local elections in 2019 before the pandemic struck, independents gained more than 250 seats, taking control of six councils across England and having deciding votes in several others.

On May 6 there will be three independents running in Halton. Rhona Bentley will be running in Beechwood and Heath, Darrin Whyte in Halton Castle, and Craig Wyna in Norton South and Preston Brook.

Mr Wyna has lived in Preston Brook for nearly 20 years and is clerk of the local parish council.

He said his priorities will include expanding opportunities to residents through community participation, focussing on community safety, tackling problems such as speeding and theft, protecting green and public spaces and being transparent and available to local residents.

He said: “The reason I have chosen to stand as independent is that local party politics to me do not always provide the most beneficial outcomes, the strongest outcome being that the voter feels listened to. Politics is changing, as are the candidates now running. Now is the time to make a difference.”

Ms Bentley said her priorities will be to oppose any plans to build on Green Belt land, campaign for more things for young people to do and improve the upkeep of the local area.

She said: “As a long-established and very active member of the Beechwood and Heath community I have a very good personal understanding of what is important to local people.”