WALCOT residents will have a choice of six candidates when they go to the polls next month.

UK Independence Party, Green Party and Independent candidates, as well as the three main parties, will all contest the by-election on February 3.

The by-election was called after the resignation of Conservative councillor Laura Holiday but the other seat in the ward is held by Labour councillor Mavis Childs.

Conservative candidate Andrew James, of Braemar Close, was not too concerned about UKIP standing, despite admitting the party can win votes from the Tories.

"We are the only party they are likely to be taking votes from," he said. "But I don't really think they are that strong.

"They did better than people thought they would in the European elections and they will be there to make a noise at the general election but I don't see how they are going to make an impact in the local elections."

It is the first time the 37-year-old, who has his own design engineering business, has stood as a councillor. He said crime, education, social services and council tax were major issues coming across on the doorstep and also criticised Labour candidate Peter Mallinson as he has previously stood as a Conservative.

But Mr Mallinson hit back, saying he stood once as a Conservative many years ago before he realised he made a mistake and said he would never go back to the Tories.

He went on to criticise Laura Holiday for her poor attendance record as a councillor.

"The people of Walcot deserve better than that," he said. "I have been working with Mavis Childs as she has been carrying the ward for about a year in the absence of the Conservative councillor."

He highlighted anti-social behaviour, traffic, litter and the quality of council housing as important issues for Walcot.

Nicky Sewell, of Sanford Street, is the Lib Dem candidate.

She said: "I think the election will be fought on real issues: the unjust council tax that I have campaigned to abolish, obscene Conservative proposals to slash social services budgets by £3m and how safe our streets are."

Miss Sewell, who works as a training and development officer in the voluntary sector, said she would be a councillor who never ignored residents.

Tony Hillier, of South View Avenue, will stand as an Independent candidate.

He said he was on the left of the political spectrum and would stand up for Walcot community and individual issues.

"I am standing to persuade Swindon Council to deliver quality public services," he said, adding that he has always stood up for community organisations in the town and supported Walcot Family Centre.

Mr Hillier, 54, is self-employed doing work ranging from practical tasks to poetry. He is former chairman of the Stop the War Coalition in Swindon.

The Green Party candidate is Simon Smith, who manages an environmental charity.

Mr Smith, 40, of Upham Road, said he was standing for 'people and the place they live'.

"We know that our council has not been the hottest," he said.

"I think we need a fresh approach and that is what the Greens offer. We have a focus on people and where they live."

Mr Smith, who also highlighted over-development in Swindon as an issue, came fourth, polling 128 votes, in the election in Walcot last year.

The Evening Advertiser was unable to contact Michael Morton, who will stand for the UK Independence Party.

Mr Morton finished in third place with 311 votes when he stood in the Western ward last year.

He is chairman of the Swindon branch of UKIP.

Isabel Field