Conservatives will go head-to-head with a breakaway group made up mostly of former Tory councillors in 19 seats in Tendring.

The Tendring First party has unveiled its team to fight the local elections in May.

It includes council leader Terry Allen, cabinet members Iris Johnson, Mark Cossens, Pierre Oxley and six other serving councillors.

The Tendring Conservatives, headed by Neil Stock, yesterday launched its manifesto which includes a promise to stop sports and social club The Squirrels in Dovercourt from being sold.

The party manifesto calls for a "time to change".

It outlines 12 points which include: low council tax, asset management, free parking, affordable housing, improving congested roads, leisure for all and establishing planting schemes to benefit the environment.

Terry Allen, who heads up the Tendring First Party, said the group has been formed to "work for the people of Tendring".

"We are going to make sure Tendring Council and Essex County Council do everyting they need to do for this area," he added.

The party, whose motto is "For The Good of Tendring", was registered with the Electoral Commission on March 26.