Independent tops polls in record style

Mr Brooks topped the polls for both Arun district and Bognor town councils. His achievement has to be unparalleled since Arun District Council was formed in 1973.

He said he hoped the backing he received from the voters would be noted by all the political parties.

'I like to think that this result will send a shockwave to the established parties, that the idea of councillors being whipped into supporting a particular idea, especially on important local issues, is wrong.

'I stood as an Independent because it is so disappointing watching the parties vote in blocks. If somebody puts forward a good idea, you would expect some people to support it and some people to oppose but it doesn't happen like that."

Mr Brooks (58), of Argyle Road, has lived in the same house since he moved to Bognor in 1960 with his parents. He runs an electronic information board company, which has supplied the score board to the Rocks among other sporting locations.

He has stood before without success as an Independent but last Thursday proved wrong all the doubters who wondered if somebody outside the powerful party organisations could triumph.

'I am very pleased with the results and grateful to the people who voted for me,' he said.

He pledged to use the coming four years to maintain the pressure to produce the best regeneration scheme for Bognor.

'We need to make sure that all the things that were promised for the St Modwen scheme take place. That scheme has to reflect everybody's needs. We need facilities for young people, especially, and which are for residents as much as for visitors,' he said.

He also made trying to sort out the chaotic parking situation around the town centre another priority.

He joins Cllr Sylvia Olliver (Bersted) in the Independent seats in Arun's council chamber. Mrs Olliver held on to her seat by just ten votes in a hard-fought battle to enable her to add to her 13 years as a district councillor.

She fought the last election as a Liberal Democrat but turned Independent after a disagreement. She praised her husband Ken (76) for his leg work in her success. He delivered about 3,000 leaflets in the month before the election as he covered all the Bersted ward on foot in spite of an arthritic knee.

'I feel elated about my election. It just shows that Independents can be voted in and that you don't necessarily need a political label,' she said.

'I shall continue the work I have been doing for Bersted for the past 13 years. I will make sure that everything that should be included in the site six development is there and that all the natural features, such as hedging, are kept.

'I will also be watching what is happening with Bognor's regeneration to make sure that the town does well out of it.'