POLITICAL history in the borough could be made if three independent candidates take all the seats in a Beckenham ward during the May council elections.

Two of the three seats in Kelsey and Eden Park ward are Tory and these will be contested by two independents at the local elections on May 4.

The ward's present independent councillor, Rod Reed, could be joined by former police officer Laurence Wright, 53, and property manager Shabana Benson, 32.

They both claim independents are free from party politics and can campaign without an agenda.

Mr Wright, who has lived in the area for 20 years, said: "It's amazing, you go to council meetings and they act like puppets, towing the party line.

Mrs Benson added: "Without the influence of party politics, you are working purely to improve your area"

Both candidates have been spurred on by their experience with local campaigns.

Mr Wright fought against the 60-bed expansion of the Denis Hill medium-secure unit at Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham.

And Mrs Benson fought plans to replace 1920s' Lavender Cottage in Manor Way, Beckenham, with 14 two-bedroom flats.

She says blocks of flats, which do not fit the street scene, are springing up everywhere.

She says Bromley Council needs to find a happy medium between Ken Livingstone's plan for more housing and overdevelopment in the Beckenham area.

Mr Wright, who has a 12-year-old son, is a single parent and a parenting representative on the Bromley Childminding Association, says he will take a strong interest in children's issues.

Mrs Benson says she will take steps to protect Beckenham's character, such as attracting "quaint little shops, unique to the town".

Both Mrs Benson and Mr Wright, who was a police officer for 30 years, say crime issues, such as more policing and a full-time station at weekends, will take priority.

At present the 60-member council is run by the ruling Conservatives with 40 councillors.

There are 13 Liberal Democrats, six Labour and one Independent.

Councillor Rod Reed, who left the Conservative Party last April and is backing both candidates, said: "We'll go back to a time when people were unfettered by party politics."