THE UK Independence Party (UKIP) will contest the Royston seat at the forthcoming county council elections – the first time they have done so in the town.

Former Mayor of Royston Mark Hughes will be the party’s candidate at the elections, which will be held on May 2.

As reported in the Crow in December, Mr Hughes, who was also chairman of North Herts District Council, switched allegiance from the Conservatives to UKIP last year.

Mr Hughes said local politicians had failed to address the issues facing Royston town centre, and cited the restricted opening hours at Royston Library and Royston Police Station as examples of this.

He said: “If elected I would fight to give the people of Royston a voice in the fight for scarce resources.”

UKIP hit the headlines last month when it secured a surprise second place finish in a by-election in Eastleigh, Hampshire, and the party has pledged to contest every county council seat in Hertfordshire.

Conservative Fiona Hill is currently Royston’s county councillor. Apart from Mr Hughes, none of the candidates for the forthcoming election have been announced.