A FORMER leader of Wyre Forest District Council is one of five candidates fighting for the vacant Aggborough and Spennells seat in Kidderminster.

Howard Martin, who is standing on an Independent Health Concern ticket, has previously represented Aggborough as a county councillor.

He pledged to concentrate on protecting the environment, improving community safety and controlling council spending "to reduce the burden of the iniquitous council tax".

He also promised to deliver "real action" to make the young, disadvantaged and elderly "feel that someone cares".

Another candidate aiming to regain his place on the council is Labour's Adrian Sewell.

He is bidding to win back the seat he held between 1995 and 1998. He lost it to Independent Health Concern when it swept to power at the height of its popularity.

Mr Sewell promised to donate his councillor's pay to local good causes if he regained the seat.

He added: "I know that people on other bodies such as school governors and local trusts give their time freely - serving on the council should be no different."

He added: "I was disgusted when councillors voted themselves a massive pay increase last time."

The Labour candidate also vowed to improve the upkeep of open spaces and to "tackle the decline in public services".

John Aston, the widower of the late district councillor, Maureen Aston - whose death in August led to the by-election - has been selected as the Conservative candidate.

Mr Aston said he made the decision to stand in an attempt to carry on the work his late wife had started.

He said he wanted to combat anti-social behaviour, provide more activities for young people and improve roads in the ward.

Samantha Walker is hoping to go one better for the Liberal Democrats after narrowly missing out on the Aggborough and Spennells seat in the May elections.

The party's president, MP Simon Hughes, lent his support to her campaign when he visited the district on Tuesday.

She explained: "I became an active member of the Liberal Democrats some years ago because they are the only party who truly believe in the community - being a Lib Dem councillor is asking for a busy life."

Kate Spohrer will contest the seat for the Green Party. She stood for the party in the Worcestershire County Council elections in May and was a parliamentary candidate at the last general election.

Ms Spohrer said: "If elected in Aggborough and Spennells, I promise to work hard to promote sensible long-term policies for local issues."

She added: "Green Party councillors on nearby Malvern Hills and South Shropshire district councils have had a huge impact, pushing recycling, energy conservation and sustainable transport way up the agenda."

l Voters go to the polls on Thursday, October 27,