Canvey Island's county councillor Brian Wood has joined the UK Independence Party.

Mr Wood, currently an independent councillor representing the Canvey Island East Division, will now stand for re-election in May 2013 under the UKIP banner.

He said: "I have thought long and hard about this and I came to the conclusion that without the support of a credible political party, with realistic aims, policies and plans to achieve them, I can't get the best results for my constituents."

Former firefighter Mr Wood served as a borough councillor on Canvey from 2004 to 2012 and was elected to Essex County Council in 2009.

He is a member of its community and older people policy scrutiny committee and the executive scrutiny committee.