PRESTON councillor Joe Fitzgerald has joined the Conservative Party -- his third political switch in the last two years.

In his latest move Coun Fitzgerald, still officially an Independent councillor for Preston's Larches ward, joined the Tories -- but because he has not been elected as a Conservative councillor, he will not officially join their group at the Town Hall.

Since being elected as a Liberal Democrat two years ago, Coun Fitzgerald has had a colourful political career. Last year he quit the Lib Dems to go Independent.

David Hammond, chairman of the Conservative Association in Preston, said: "Joe is a member of the party, but he wasn't elected as a Conservative councillor. When he's elected as a Conservative councillor, fully backed by the Conservative Association, he will be in the Conservative Group. In the meantime he is a member of the national party."

Coun Fitzgerald is quick to assure his supporters that although his party politics may have changed, his aims are still the same. He said: "My supporters should look at the person, not the politics. I've done a lot of work for the Larches estate and because I stand under a Conservative banner shouldn't make any difference.

"There is no difference in my work. I will continue the work for my electorate in the Larches. Party politics will remain in the Town Hall. Nothing has really changed."

But Mr Hammond confirmed that Conservative party bosses had met with Joe before giving him their support. He said: "We had a good talk with Joe. We didn't just accept him and it was talked out what was expected of him and the support we would give him.

"It was not done lightly, and there is absolutely no chance of embarrassment. Joe has been made welcome by us, and he has been given two seats on committees at the Town Hall. There is nothing sinister or under-hand going on."