AS the latest candidate for the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight throws his hat into the ring, the fight is hotting up for the £85,000 a year job.

Greatham parish councillor and retired solicitor Don Jerrard, who stands for the Justice and Anti-Corruption Party, is to stand, alongside, the Conservative, former Alton and Petersfield MP Michael Mates, and Jacqui Rayment, Labour's candidate and the current chairman of Hampshire Police Authority.

But Mr Mates, 78, has been asked to reconsider his position for the job, which is designed to bring greater transparency and accountability to policing and give the public more say on how to tackle crime.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.