A new political party promising to stand up for Mitcham says it will fight for residents without breaking away from the west of the borough.

Formed just last month, Mitcham Independent Party is putting forward three candidates for the council election on May 22, all in Cricket Green ward.

Prospective councillor Stuart Morrison said: "You travel into Wimbledon, the roads are being repaired, the area is being looked after.

"Currently there’s a proposal to pedestrianise Wimbledon Broadway. At the same time buses are being introduced in Mitcham."

Mr Morrison said he started thinking about forming a political party after becoming frustrated with council plans to build a market canopy and bus "street" as part of the £6.2m Mitcham Rediscover scheme.

He was concerned the new bus route and investment in the town centre would divert consumers away from shops in London Road, where he lives.

He said: "This market canopy would not have been introduced in Wimbledon so why was it proposed in Mitcham?"

The party, registered with the electoral office on Tuesday, April 15, first said it would like to see its own council offices in Mitcham, but Mr Morrison said that was "a joke taken out of context".

The online businessman said: "We are a group of independents who want to promote better services in Mitcham. We are not looking to be independent beyond that."

Pledges to freeze council tax, reduce expensive temporary council staff, lower business rates and work with police to crack down on anti-social behavior are headlines in their manifesto.

Putting pressure on housing associations to provide decent standards of repair and security, constructing high quality, affordable housing and implementing a one-way system for HGVs in Church Road are also priorities.

The candidates have also pledged to provide more school places and support a "Merton-wide, inspirational anti-litter campaign."