THE latest candidate to declare for the Wollaston and Stourbridge Town by-election is calling for a ballot box revolution.

Independent hopeful Russell Eden says voting for politicians from mainstream parties will achieve nothing locally while smaller parties have no hope of winning and voters who choose them are handing victory to candidates they do not support.

The election for a seat on Dudley Council is set for Thursday January 31, it was triggered by the death of Conservative councillor Malcolm Knowles in October.

Mr Eden, aged 50, said: "It’s time for a local revolution at the ballot box. I genuinely feel that my modern localism policies can attract votes from all of the other parties in this election.

"I’m standing in this election because I think I can achieve more for the residents and town than any of the other candidates, most of whom will be fighting the campaign on party lines and national politics."

The ward includes Stourbridge town centre where regeneration, including car parking and the construction of a large Tesco superstore, is a hot topic among candidates and Mr Eden is outspoken in his policy.

He said: "Tesco will be open next year, and I think it will wreak havoc in the town. I’ve seen the damage Tesco inflicted on Cradley Heath and really worry about the future of our town centre.

"Jobs created by the superstore will at best replace jobs lost as other shops close."

He describes charging for council car parking as "suicidal" and says he plans to work for free parking while encouraging more people to travel into town on foot or by bicycle.

He added a solution to parking problems in residential areas could be the introduction of a community car pool as an alternative to second car ownership.