ENVIRONMENT campaigner Dave Bentley from Radcliffe has thrown himself into the local political arena by standing as an Independent candidate in St. Mary's Ward, Prestwich. The 32-year-old wildlife consultant developed close links with St Mary's Ward residents when they enlisted his help in their fight against Bury Council's damaging land reclamation projects in the Irwell Valley.

Now he's looking for them to give him their vote in the May elections and, if elected, as an Independent he'll be able to speak out unhindered on environmental and other matters of local concern.

In his election leaflet Dave says that during his earlier campaign against Prestwich's environmental damage he organised a report which was presented to the Borough's development services committee in January.

Dave argued: "The Council have used Prestwich's countryside as a guinea pig on which to test their bulldozers and other reclamation methods."

And the chairwoman of development services, Councillor Julie Higson, who represents St. Mary's Ward until 1998, admitted, says Dave, that "mistakes were made."

"Tragically," says Mr Bentley, "these mistakes - the damage to landscape and wildlife - have continued."

And he tells voters: "The best way to get through to an administration that won't or can't listen is through the ballot box."

His election leaflet continues: "Prestwich residents who are unhappy with what the Council has done to their valley can voice their concerns on May 2."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.