UKIP has announced its candidate for the upcoming council by-election in Hampstead Garden Suburb.

Barry Ryan, who manages a fostering agency in Kingsbury, will contest the seat on May 7, the same day as the General Election.

Mr Ryan, who lives in Hendon, said he would campaign on improving public services, such as repairing pavements and improving road safety, and wanted to see an end to “unhelpful and costly" parking restrictions.

He added: “Let’s face it, the other candidates if elected will just vote with their pack which may not be good. But I will think independently about the impact of any proposal in the suburb and I will make sure that people’s voices are heard.”

The other candidates who will contest the seat are Rohit Grover for the Conservatives, Adele Ward for the Green Party, Janet Solomons for Labour and Altan Akbiyik for the Liberal Democrats.