THE Tory leader of Worcester City Council has warned of a major UKIP challenge in May’s elections – and urged people to vote on “local issues”.

Councillor Simon Geraghty has admitted Nigel Farage’s party has “now got a presence it didn’t have” in previous years.

The Conservative, who is also deputy leader at Worcestershire County Council, will be defending his Riverside seat in the County Hall count.

Unlike the last county elections in 2009, there will be a challenge from UKIP this time around, with graphic designer Richard Delingpole hoping to cause an upset.

The Labour Party is also pitching one of its big hitters into the contest, with current Worcester Councillor Lynn Denham preparing to stand too.

Coun Geraghty said: “If you believe the polls, UKIP has now got a presence it didn’t have before.

“But whether or not that transfers into votes and seats, we will have to see.

“I would remind people that these are local elections and we are campaigning on our track record locally.”

He pointed to the Conservative’s record of keeping council tax down and making savings while protecting front-line services.

Back in 2009, Coun Geraghty held his seat with a majority of 611 following strong challenges from Labour, the Green Party and Liberal Democrats.

Anything other than a Tory hold would be a major scalp.

But Coun Denham said she hoped Labour could pull off an upset.

“It’s a real challenge for us and winning it would be a significant achievement – but I’d love to represent the people in Riverside,” she said.

Mr Delingpole, who lives in Henwick Road, St John’s, in the heart of the ward, said: “Being up against the city council leader will make it a real challenge.

“But at the last county election here, UKIP did not have a candidate so it’s impossible to know who would have voted for us.”

UKIP is planning to field 50 candidates across Worestershire out of the 57 seats, following a surge in support.