A TRIO of independents is bidding to change the make up of a crucial ward in Harrow as the fight for votes in the local elections hots up.

Among those hoping to clinch a seat representing the Harrow on the Hill ward is former Conservative councillor Eileen Kinnear, who is vying to retain her seat without party ties.

Mrs Kinnear was expelled from the party in February last year for what the Tories described as 'a number of serious group breaches'.

But she has promised not to let party politics halt her attempts to keep hold of her place on the council, which she has held for 20 years.

She said: "During recent months a number of people have asked, indeed urged me, to stand as an independent candidate in this year's council

elections. "They were kind enough to say that they valued my expertise, experience and hard work as a member. People query whether voting independent is a wasted vote. I say not in this year's council elections. Voting for an independent candidate this year can make a real difference.

"We aim to provide a listening ear, not to be a strident voice continually giving orders, and we ask residents to come out and support us on the day and so allow us to represent them and their views independently, free from party politics and from dictat."

Mrs Kinnear will be vying for one of the three seats up for grabs in Harrow on the Hill with two other independents, Marcello Borgese and Christine Jones. Fellow independents Joan Langrognat is hoping to take her place for Hatch End ward, while James Bond is pushing for a place in Headstone North.

Mr Bond, who is famed in North Harrow for his work at the Tube station, hopes to emulate his dad, also James Bond, who successfully ran as an independent in Pinner in the 1980s.

He said: "I have been inspired to do this by my father, who was voted in as an independent in Pinner.

"I live in the ward that I want to represent, so I know what the issues are here and what people want to see change.

"I think people will benefit from voting for someone who is essentially their neighbour and can fight for the things they want changed without having to answer to pressures from a political group."