A businesswoman has announced her intention to stand for election as Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Sarah Flannery is the first independent candidate to join the race for the new role.

She will go up against Labour candidate John Stockton and Conservative choice John Dwyer when the county goes to the polls on November 15.

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) will replace Cheshire Police Authority in what is being seen as the most radical reform of policing for 50 years.

The role aims to make local forces more accountable and gives one person the responsibility of setting the budget and mapping out the local strategy for the force.

The PCC also has the power with the power to sack the Chief Constable who will remain responsible for operational decisions.

Mrs Flannery, 53, said the role of the PCC should be independent from party politics.

She said: “The new position of PCC is to be a voice for the people, representing them and their concerns to make sure the policing needs of the many and varied communities which make up Cheshire are met to reduce crime – and to hold the police to account for meeting those needs.”

Mrs Flannery lives in Davenham, and is a director at Dimension Creative in Northwich.

In 2010 she stood as an independent in the General Election against chancellor George Osborne.

She is being back by the Cheshire Independent Network, a group which campaigns for independent representation of the people.

Candidates have until October 19 to declare their intention to stand.