TWO councillors from Market Drayton have defected from the Conservative Party ahead of the North Shropshire by-election.

Mark Whittle, deputy mayor of Market Drayton and Anthony Allen have both jumped ship, to Reform UK and the Reclaim Party respectively.

Mr Whittle joined Reform UK in what he said was "the most difficult decision I have ever made" and said he joined the party, which was previously the Brexit Party, after meeting the Tory candidate in the race, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst.

Mr Whittle said: "As chairman of the Market Drayton Conservative Party and member of Shropshire Conservative executive, this is the most difficult decision I have ever made.

"Made only after a great deal of soul searching."

He said he could not "possibly back a candidate from Birmingham who has zero knowledge of North Shropshire and the challenges our community faces".

Richard Tice, Reform UK's leader, said: "I am delighted that Mark has joined us, he has a history of 30 years public service and is utterly committed to his town and North Shropshire."

Meanwhile, Mr Allen has joined actor Laurence Fox's Reclaim party.

The party aims to 'halt woke bullying and cancel culture' and Mr Allen says he joined up to fight Market Drayton's "draconian way of thinking".

Announcing his decision on Facebook, Mr Allen said: "I stood for local council to hopefully try to help restore some good of fashioned common sense and a community first way of thinking as well as help fight to change the draconian way of thinking that has held our town back for so long while others around us have prospered.

"I have been hearing off many of you just how fed up you are all becoming with the state of our country and the lack of meaningful support being delivered to those who aspire to achieve a better way of life through good old fashioned hard work and prudence.

"After a one to one meeting with ex-West Midlands MEP Martin Daubney where we discussed a wide range of issues I have decided pledge my support in the North Shropshire by-election to him and The Reclaim Party."

The poll will be held on December 16 and was prompted following the resignation of former MP Owen Paterson.

Mr Paterson resigned after he was found to have breached lobbying rules and after the Government U-turned in a bid to save him from immediate suspension.