Biddulph's newest councillor has pledged to "work for the betterment of Biddulph" following his recent appointment to the role.

Cllr Adrian Lawton, aged 73, who is representing the Biddulph South ward as an Independent, is the newest addition to Biddulph Town Council following the resignation of former Independent Biddulph South councillor Paul Barlow.

Mr Barlow explained to Biddulph Nub News that his two years on the town council were "an honour and a privilege" but felt he could no longer continue due to changes in his family and private life.

Now Cllr Lawton has spoken to us all about his background in Biddulph, how he became a councillor, and how he hopes to make a difference in the town.

A lifelong Biddulph resident, Cllr Lawton said: "I was born and grew up on Biddulph High Street and have lived here all my life, although I have spent my working hours out of town doing computing and data processing, but I am now retired.

"I have been involved in Biddulph History Society for almost 50 years, and it is still going today, and I'm now a committee member. I'm also a volunteer at Biddulph Library, helping people to find out more about their family history.

"I have a lifelong interest in transport, going back to when I was little and I would watch all the cars and buses going down the High Street."

He explained that his involvement with the town council dates back several years, beginning with a discussion about bus services in the town.

He said: "A few years ago I was concerned about the buses in Biddulph. I attended a town council meeting and gave a short presentation as a member of the public and suggested they establish a transport working group, which they did, and I was put on the working group.

"When the county council withdrew their funding for the 93 bus, the town council decided to fund it themselves, which I was encouraged by."

Following his time on the working group, he was approached following Mr Barlow's resignation and asked if he would be interested in being considered, to which he agreed.

Cllr Lawton was elected by co-option, meaning the existing councillors voted him onto the council themselves, rather than a vote being put to the general public, as the sufficient number of letters requesting an election were not received.

Cllr Lawton added: "I don't think anyone else actually came forward, although that doesn't mean that the councillors were obligated to appoint me. I think being elected by co-option rather than through an election is unique, because most councillors hear from their electorate every four years at an election, whereas I hear from mine every month at the meetings!

"I had come to respect all the councillors because of all they have done for the town over the last few years, although I know this might not be the most popular view at the moment because of a certain wheel!"

He also explained his stance as an Independent and how he hopes to make a difference in Biddulph, adding: "Transport will definitely be an area of focus for me, but I am also representing my ward so I will be focusing on issues in Biddulph South, including the congestion caused by parking at Biddulph High School and James Bateman Middle School.

"I'm an Independent because I don't think party politics really has a place at the lowest level of local government. At my age I'm not here to make a new career or score any political points, I'm here to work for the betterment of Biddulph."