ANOTHER Keighley town councillor has announced he has quit the UK Independence Party.

John Kirby, who represents Laycock and Braithwaite Ward, confirmed this week he had notified UKIP of his wish to leave the party last month.

News of his decision follows last month's confirmation that fellow town councillor Ian Dermondy had also stepped down from the party.

Another UKIP town councillor, Samuel Fletcher, resigned from the party early last year, while UKIP representative George Firth left the council in November 2015.

These departures mean Cllr Peter Corkindale is now the only official UKIP representative on the 30-member council.

Commenting on his own decision this week, Cllr Kirby said he would continue to represent parishioners as an independent councillor.

"I think there are too many political parties in Keighley but not enough independents," he added.

"A lot of people have been saying to me 'we'd vote for you if you weren't wearing that UKIP badge'.

"I've listened to the people of Keighley and decided that enough was enough. I believe I can help residents more effectively by being an independent, where I can work with people from every party."

Cllr Kirby said despite his departure from UKIP, he is still supportive of the campaign to leave the European Union.