Independent candidates say they are hoping to put people before politics in the borough elections.

Eleven of the 78 candidates standing for a seat on Cheshire East council are not part of a political party.

James Nicholas and Amanda Stott, a couple living in Bollington, are standing as Bollington First candidates for the town’s ward.

James said: “Bollington deserves two local residents as their representatives. Amanda and I will be putting Bollington first and giving voters a genuine alternative to the same old political parties.”

In Poynton there is a new group named North East Cheshire Independents made up of current and former councillors who hope to claim seats from the Conservatives.

Gabor Bartos and Roger West are standing for Poynton East and Pott Shrigley and Bryan Lewis and Tony Hall are standing for Poynton West and Adlington. They will also contest seats on Poynton Town Council.

Gabor said: “It’s time for change. None of us believe that national politics should be allowed to get in the way of doing what is best for our community. People count, not politics. We want to change things for the better and feel we can best do this by being Independent.”

In Tytherington, Lloyd Roberts and Brendan Murphy are hoping to win back the ward’s two seats.

Lloyd said: “We believe there should not be party politics in local government. We want to put people before politics and principles before policies.”

Independent Mick Warren is hoping to take the seat in the Macclesfield East ward.

He said: "I've lived in the ward for the past 23 years with my wife and children. I am 52 years old and retired from Cheshire police as the Macclesfield Community Police Sergeant 18 months ago, a position I held for five years, during which time I worked to resolve issues and problems inside our communities.

"I am standing as I don't feel any of the political parties locally are talking or listening to residents other than at election times."

David Edwardes is standing as an Independent in Broken Cross and Martin Smith is standing as a Macclesfield First candidate in Macclesfield Central.