A FORMER Conservative councillor who defected to UKIP has entered the race to become Herts’ first police and crime commissioner.

The news Marion Mason will stand for UKIP was released on Friday, the same day as the deadline for candidates closed.

Ms Mason, who formally led the Conservative group on Stevenage Borough Council, will contest the election next month and will be pitted against Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem hopefuls.

She defected to UKIP in 2009 and stood in the 2010 general election for Stevenage, where she came fourth.