A veteran Tory councillor in a leafy Stockport suburb has quit the party after two decades - and joined Ukip.

Stockport councillor Paul Bellis, who has represented Bramhall South and Woodford since 2000, defected to the anti-EU party after being deselected by the Conservatives.

He will contest his seat as a Ukip candidate in May’s elections having quit the Tory party after 21 years.

Coun Bellis is the borough's first Ukip councillor.

It is understood that in December, Coun Bellis was interviewed by a panel of party members - as all existing and prospective Tory councillors are - but was not chosen to stand again.

Local members say the process was governed by strict party guidelines and overseen by a regional party officer. The decision was upheld after an appeal.

Coun Bellis, who lives in Hazel Grove and works as a PCSO for Greater Manchester Police, wrote to supporters and colleagues telling them he was considering joining Ukip last week.

He has now announced he will join the party, rather than continue as an independent councillor.

Coun Bellis said: “I can no longer support Conservative policies, both nationally and locally, that do little to address the issues that are facing us as a nation and as a local area today, but are more geared to serve a small minority of people. The party is not the party I joined 21-years-ago.

“The re-development of Woodford Aerodrome and the SEMMMS project are just two of many key local issues where the views of local people are not being considered properly.

“Ukip are bringing back a common sense approach to local politics and have given me a platform on which I can once again best represent the wishes of the people of Bramhall South and Woodford - and not a party machine.”

Coun Bellis, who boasts a 1,300 majority, told colleagues in a letter seen by the M.E.N he is ‘all for proper, controlled immigration’ and says Britain should leave the EU.

He claimed the Tories nationally have done ‘practically little to change the mistakes Labour made’.

Coun Bellis stormed out of an area committee meeting in July after colleagues backed plans for 1,000 homes on the former Woodford Aerodrome site.

In his letter, he said the decision ‘astonished’ him, adding: “Since that date, my loyalty has been somewhat stretched, and after much soul searching I have decided to withdraw from the party.”

He also argues residents’ views are not properly being listened to on the Manchester Aiport Relief Road project.

Stockport Conservative group leader Syd Lloyd said Coun Bellis 'failed to meet the standard required' to be a Tory candidate.

He added: “Paul Bellis, like every other Conservative candidate for the 2015 elections, went through a mandatory interview and selection process. He was not successful.

“This resignation does not affect the excellent work that our other local conservative councillors are doing in the borough.”

Ukip Stockport branch chairman Tony Moore said: “Paul has served our borough passionately over the last 15 years and will be an asset to our party.”

Three members of Stockport's Labour group became independents after quitting the party last year.

Reddish North's Paul Moss and Davenport and Cale Green's Brian Hendley quit after being deselected.

Offerton councillor Laura Booth also quit the party. Councillors Moss and Booth sit as independents. Coun Hendley sits as an 'independent Labour' member.

The ruling Lib Dems hold 28 seats, Labour 19, the Tories nine and Heald Green Independent Rate Payers three.