Keighley’s former police chief is to contest a seat on Bradford Council.

Allan Doherty has been selected by the Tories to fight Keighley East, on May 22.

The ward includes East Morton, where he has lived for the past ten years.

Mr Doherty retired from the police force in 2009, after 31 years’ service.

He had risen to the rank of chief superintendent and commanded the then Airedale and North Bradford police division.

The 52-year-old father-of-four said he had long held a desire to stand as a councillor.

“I have been interested in politics for many years but because of my role in the police couldn’t be a member of a political party or express political views,” said Mr Doherty, now director of operations with the charity Hope for Justice.

Mr Doherty said his main aims were to ensure the Keighley area got a fair share of resources from City Hall, and to press for improved Aire Valley road transport links.