Windwatch chair standing as independent candidate

Barry Patterson, from Hillview in the town, is running as an independent candidate in the Knockagh area.

A founder member of group Sunshine, who won Opportunity Knocks on seven different occasions, Mr Patterson travelled the world for over 20 years as a drummer.

His eldest son Darren will be a familiar face for football fans, having played for Crystal Palace and for Northern Ireland at International level.

In recent years, the married father of two has been at the forefront of a campaign against two controversial wind turbine applications in the borough as chairman of Carrick Windwatch.

He said: “Some people would say that independent councillors tend to get overlooked by the larger parties with regards to decision making. I would disagree and refer to the successful contributions made by current independent councillors, Alderman Jimmy Brown and Councillor Billy Hamilton.

“As an independent candidate, I believe that the voter should be telling me what your concerns are, not me telling you what someone at party headquarters in Belfast has decided is going to happen.”