Frustrated voters in Plumstead have set up their own political party because they feel they are being ignored by the local council.

The new Plumstead Party aims to challenge the local Labour party and put forward candidates for the 2018 council elections.

Among the evidence cited by the new party that Greenwich Council are ignoring their area includes the William Hill betting shop set to open on Plumstead High Street.

READ MORE: Greenwich Council's 'abject and repeated failures' lead to William Hill betting shop set to open in Plumstead High Street

The betting shop planning permission was refused by the council, but overturned by The Planning inspectorate because their refusal was “bereft of objective appraisal and substantial evidence”.

Other frustrations include the Hollywood-style Eltham wooden letters that cost £40,000, money The Plumstead Party believes should be spent elsewhere.

Started by Plumstead resident Stewart Christie, he said he believes that local politics “should not be under the control of national political parties”.

He said: “Too many of our council meetings are currently dominated by party political themes and policies over which the council has no control.

READ MORE: Locals are not happy about Eltham's new £40,000 Hollywood-style sign

“We believe that Plumstead residents should represent, and know what is best for, our area rather than political party activists who live and work elsewhere.

“Our local area needs urgent investment – money raised here shouldn’t be spent on pet projects elsewhere in the borough.”

The party is looking to put up candidates in Glyndon, Plumstead and Shooters Hill, with possibly more candidates being fielded in Abbey Wood and Woolwich Common too.

For now the group is in the process of setting up a bank account so they can accept donations and stand handing out leaflets.