AS two more candidates threw their hats into the ring this week, Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor has given the strongest indication yet that he will contest his seat at the next General Election.

The retired hospital consultant has remained tight-lipped on the issue since his landslide win in 2001 but has now told the Shuttle/Times and News he is likely to seek another term at Westminster.

The news comes in the same week veteran councillor Fran Oborski and UK Independence Party supporter and former TV chef Rustie Lee announced their intention to stand.

It brings to five the number of candidates so far gunning for the seat. Labour and the Conservatives put forward their prospective parliamentary candidates, Marc Bayliss and Mark Garnier, earlier this year.

Dr Taylor - who won the seat for Wyre Forest party Health Concern just over three years ago - told the Shuttle/Times and News: "I am going to make a formal decision nearer the time but my feeling at the moment is it is going to be difficult not to stand because the work we set out to do isn't finished. There is a lot more to do."

But Mrs Oborski, who is standing for the Liberal Party, said the MP's time was up.

The member of Worcestershire County Council and Wyre Forest District Council said she had withdrawn from the 2001 election to give Dr Taylor the best shot at ousting Labour MP David Lock but the time was now right for change.

Speaking after party members last week unanimously voted she represent them at the polls, she said: "I think Richard Taylor is a super MP and he has done a wonderful job but I think there are other issues in Wyre Forest which need pushing."

She said the Health Concern "bubble has burst" after heavy losses in June's district council elections.

Kidderminster resident Rustie Lee, who achieved fame in the 1980s on morning television programme TV-am, announced she would stand for UKIP when the party held its annual conference in Bristol at the weekend.

She told the Shuttle/Times & News she was thrilled to support the party, which is committed to withdrawing Britain from the European Union.

She said: "We are being railroaded into a situation that I know we are all going to be sorry about later on.

"I believe nationally and locally we have support, so many people have told me they don't want to lose the pound."

Although a General Election is not due until 2006, Tony Blair is widely expected to go to the polls next year, and political pundits believe May will be the most likely date.