A popular long-serving councillor deselected as a party candidate ahead of May's election says he has been "forced" to stand as an Independent.

Robert Long, who has represented Tolleshunt D'Arcy on Maldon District Council since 1992, was deselected by the Witham Constituency Conservative Association (WCCA) in December in favour of former Tiptree councillor Elaine Bamford.

Mr Long said: "I was sad in a way, but I have been forced into this position.

"To me it was a challenge and I never walk away from a challenge."