A LONG serving councillor has defected to UKIP saying politics nationally and across Tendring needs a major shake up.

Tony Colbourne, Tendring councillor for Ramsey and Parkeston, has left the Conservatives and joined the UK Independence Party hoping it will help him to better serve his electorate and bring a much needed change to the area.

"I've been thinking about it for a month now at least," he said.

"What I would like to see is a change nationally and locally - locally it definately wants to happen as far as I'm concerned.

"I think UKIP is going to shake the parties up, I don't think they'll get into government but I personally think they will swamp this place."

Mr Colbourne is also a taxi driver and said he often has customers tell him they will be voting for UKIP.

He has also predicted others councillors will follow in his footsteps and join UKIP.

"I feel I have done a lot for my elecorate, but I feel I could do that better as UKIP," he added.