TWO independent candidates have announced they are to contest Poole's Canford Cliffs ward in elections for the new Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council set for May.

Current Borough of Poole councillor Peter Pawlowski, who is an independent having left the Conservative group last year, will be joined by Dr David Young.

Cllr Pawlowski, who has lived in the ward for 22 years and served as a councillor for eight years, said: "Canford Cliffs has traditionally returned conservative candidates.

"David and I offer a choice to the local community of two independents they know and whose values have been publicly demonstrated on many occasions.

"They will have a choice between these independent views and conservatives who can be expected to vote along party political lines and place their own political ambitions above local community needs."

Dr Young, who lived for many years in Sandbanks, is an experienced mergers and acquisition professional.

He said: "It would be a privilege to help make sure this council merger delivers the promised benefits because people in Poole cannot afford for it not to.

"With council tax rates for Poole households set to rise by the maximum permitted for the next six years we simply must make promised efficiency gains.

"The massive increases in councillors allowances recently agreed, together some eye-watering costs of senior severance packages, clearly proves the need for a strong and vocal challenge within the new council."