An independent candidate has thrown her hat into the ring to be Maidstone and the Weald's MP.

Yolande Kenward says achieving "justice for the victims of the banking crash" is top of her list of political priorities ahead of the vote on December 12.

The 67-year-old, who lives in Melrose Close in the town and stood at the last election two years ago, is pledging to create a safer and better place for children and the sick.

She is also demanding the protection of free NHS services, less wasted public money, more effective policing and more challenges to council tax, business rates and planning.

On why she is standing as an independent, she said: "I was a life-long Tory until 2001, when my eyes were really opened for the first time about what they were really doing.

"I wept for humanity, and now I wouldn't touch any of the main parties."

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