A former reporter believes his background in local journalism will help him as he bids to become a Tory councillor on his old patch.

John Connell is standing for the Conservatives on the newly-formed Cumberland Council in the forthcoming elections.

John, pictured, is a former reporter for the Workington Times & Star who will be standing in the St Michael’s ward, where he used to live.

He now works for Workington’s Tory MP Mark Jenkinson as a caseworker.

Speaking to his old paper, John said: “Both roles have given me a good insight into some of the issues facing the ward – and some ideas about how they could be improved.

“Antisocial behaviour, including drug use and disturbances at the ‘bottom end’ of town, is quite clearly having a detrimental impact on the quality of life of the law-abiding majority – and this needs to be addressed as a priority,

“Parts of St Michael’s have an issue with weeds, litter, graffiti, and general untidiness, while the condition of the roads is also very poor in places.

“The rising cost of living are proving challenging for residents on lower incomes, making that access to the right support, advice and services – as well as job and training opportunities – more important than ever.”

John will face competition from Liberal Democrat Margaret Bennet, Labour’s Barbara Cannon and Independent Will Wilkinson on 5 May.