A FORMER radio presenter has returned from down under to stand as a Conservative candidate in this year's local elections.

Peter Heaton-Jones, who lived in Sydney, Australia, for 15 months before returning to Swindon in December, made the announcement yesterday, 100 days before the poll on May 1.

The 44-year-old from Sparcells, who presented the Breakfast and Morning programmes on BBC Radio Swindon for six years, will stand in Western ward and fight for the seat currently held by Swindon Mayor Michael Barnes (Lab).

"It feels good to be back and I'm very settled here," said Peter.

"There is no substitute for where you regard feeling at home.

"I now have 100 days to earn the trust of the people of Western and convince them they'd be better off with a Conservative councillor.

"After many years working for the Swindon community challenging the council on the radio, I now want to do the same from the other side of the fence.

"I know the area like the back of my hand and understand the workings of Swindon Borough Council too.

"That experience will be invaluable when it comes to fighting for good services and fair council taxes for the people of Western."

He said that one of his main priorities is to campaign for the Cheney Manor Road Post Office to be kept open, as it is an important community facility.

"I'm not going to just wait for the election to start," he said.

"I'll be working for the residents in Western straight away by joining the fight to save the Cheney Manor Road Post Office.

"We have until the end of January to convince Post Office bosses they're wrong to consider taking this service away, and I'll be doing all I can before that deadline."

l MPs must deliver in post office fight: See letters, page 12