A PRO-LIFE candidate is fighting the Reading East seat as an Independent.

Joan Lloyd of Silverthorne Drive, Caversham, says her other main concerns are "health and wellbeing", as well as the state of mental health services in the town.

Ms Lloyd, a support worker at Reading Resource off Oxford Road and former Reading College lecturer, has lived in Reading for 33 years and also stood as an Independent in the 2005 General Election.

She says in her election literature: "I am saddened at the 7 million babies lost by abortion since 1967. I have profound respect for life and human potential as do many of you. We are the silent majority. Without the right to life, all other rights are meaningless."

She told the Chronicle: "Crime is also a huge subject. I think that a lot of crime is done by people who come to this country and organised criminals. It's the elephant in the room.

"We need better response times and more visible officers in the local area as a deterrent."

Ms Lloyd is vice-chairwoman of Berkshire Mental Health Youth Group, which lobbies to make people's time under the care of mental health services better.

- Full list of all candidates at www.readingchronicle.co.uk/election2010