A WINCHESTER political group is launching tonight to recruit non-partisan candidates at May's district elections.

Winchester Independents are inviting residents to hear their plans for a city council free of "corrosive and divisive" party politics.

The event at 7pm in St Peter's Church Hall, Jewry Street, will hear from independent politicians in the south.

Led by members of campaigns including Save the Rec and Save Barton Farm, the group wants to capitalise on May's 'all-out' elections, which will see every seat up for grabs rather than the usual third.

Other aims include reversion to a committee system, which gave greater power to backbench councillors, and a policy of councillors from Winchester making major decisions about the city.

Peter Macfadyen, independent leader of Frome Town Council and author of Flatpack Democracy, will speak as well as Prof Jan Pahl, of Canterbury District Campaign for Democracy.

Other guests include Hart District Council independent John Bennison and Gavin Blackman of Save Barton Farm.