FORMER Bradford Bulls cult hero Ross Peltier is looking to combine his rugby league career with politics as he is in the running at the upcoming local elections.

Peltier, who plays for Doncaster and is a Jamaican international, has been named as a Green Party candidate in the Kirklees Council ward of Birstall & Birkenshaw.

The Bradford-born prop forward, 28, made 64 appearances for the Bulls from 2017 to 2019 and was a fan favourite throughout, including in the Bulls’ famous Challenge Cup win over Leeds in 2019.

Revealing his candidacy, Peltier said on Twitter: “Proud to announce I’m running for the Green Party for Birstall & Birkenshaw, make sure everyone in that area gets out to vote. Big things coming.”

Also running for the Green Party in Birstall & Birkenshaw is Tahir Akram.

There are two seats up for grabs in this year’s local elections; Councillor Mark Thompson, an incumbent for the Conservatives, is defending his seat, while the other seat is currently vacant after Tory councillor Charlotte Goodwin quit last November.

The second Conservative candidate is Josh Sheard, while running for Labour are Gina Harding and Julie Smith. The Liberal Democrats have yet to reveal their candidates for Birstall & Birkenshaw.

Local elections are taking place across the country on Thursday, May 6, when people will go to the polls to choose their councillors, and in West Yorkshire residents will also be electing their first every Mayor.

Peltier started his career at Keighley Cougars in after coming through the academies of both the Bulls and Huddersfield Giants, and is now a player at Doncaster.

He has also earned nine international caps for Jamaica, and will be aiming to be a part of the country’s squad in the Rugby League World Cup later this year.