A NOTTS district councillor has defected to the Tories today claiming they can deliver the changes other political parties can not.

The defection of Broxtowe Borough Councillor Mel Crow, who until 2008 was a Liberal Democrat, was welcomed by shadow cabinet member Eric Pickles who was visiting Notts.

Coun Crow said: "The Conservatives are people to lead Kimberley and the country through this difficult period.

"It's time for the kind of change that neither the Lib Dems nor Labour can deliver – the Conservatives offer real, positive change and I want to be a part of it."

Mr Pickles said the Conservative Party was targeting Notts County Council and its districts in upcoming local elections this summer.

He said: "We've had a reasonable flow of Liberal Democrat councillors to us on the basis that they are more likely to achieve Lib Dem objectives as part of the Conservatives – I'm actively encouraging that.

"Notts is a good example of a once great council that has been decaying under Labour – they've been there almost 30 years now and haven't done a particularly good job.

"We're very keen to get our hands on those seats and on others in Notts districts."

Before today, out of 44 seats on Broxtowe Borough Council there were 16 belonging to the Conservatives, 15 to the Liberal Democrats, ten to Labour, one to the BNP and two independents.

The council is run by a coalition of the Liberal Democrat and Labour parties.