THE borough's only independent councillor is to stand in the forthcoming Cheshire County Council elections.

And Ian Ormerod, who represents Strawberry Fields, is aiming high - he's taking on county Labour leader Derek Bateman in the May 5 poll.

Cllr Ormerod hit the Pioneer's headlines last month when he dramatically quit the Labour Party in a row over Ellesmere Port's fire service - likely to be one of the issues discussed on doorsteps across the ward during the campaign.

Cllr Ormerod said his intention to run for the Central and Westminster division won't affect his role as a borough councillor.

He added: 'I believe the public of Central and Westminster should be given an alternative.

'I am totally independent of any political party now and I will support the residents' beliefs.

'As people who read about my resignation from the Labour group will know, I am opposed to any cuts in the town's fire cover, especially the loss of the third fire engine.

'Ellesmere Port Fire Station comes within the division I wish to represent and I want to maintain the fire cover we presently have.'

Cllr Ormerod became a borough councillor in 2002 on a manifesto of cracking down on anti-social behaviour.

Last week, he managed to get developers on Rother Drive to create a barrier to a field where joyriders have been racing, then torching, stolen cars.

Cllr Ormerod said: 'There are a number of issues affecting Central and Westminster residents - and one of the biggest is anti-social behaviour and abandoned vehicles.

'I have already started working in partnership with the police and other agencies to combat this problem.'

Cllr Bateman responded cautiously to Cllr Ormerod's announcement.

He said: 'I anticipate it will be a good, clean fight and I'll just be putting across my case.'

Cllr Bateman spoke about changes to fire provision in the Port, part of Cheshire Fire Service's integrated risk management plan (IRMP).

He sits on Cheshire Fire Authority, which will decide on the IRMP at a meeting tomorrow.

He said: 'The fire service in a big city like Chester has two pumps and Warrington, with its industries, also has two.

'But some people think the Port has to have three fire pumps, with vehicles sometimes parked outside the station doing nothing.'