TATTON MP Martin Bell is regarded as quite a heavyweight in the political arena.

But it seems he may meet his match when he tries to land the knockout punch at the next General Election.

For former boxer Frank Bruno is considering throwing his hat into the ring as another prospective independent MP for Brentwood and Ongar in Essex.

"I would hope not to have to square up to him on the Essex constituency's version of Knutsford Heath," said Mr Bell this week.

"I had more than enough of that last time, at the hands of rather less gentle opponents, and four years later I will be steering clear of heaths and common lands."

Mr Bruno, who lives in the southern constituency, announced his decision last week and said he would challenge for the Tory safe seat as a Conservative.

But the thought received a blow when the Conservative Party and the sitting MP Eric Pickles disputed his claim.

They told him he would have to stand as an independent, but Mr Pickles paid tribute to the famous sportsman.

"He would add a bit of glamour to the campaign," he said. "But there is a world of difference between receiving applause in pantomime and standing on the hustings."

Mr Bell met the heavyweight as he prepared for a fight in Las Vegas several years ago and described him as a 'good bloke'.

He said: "I've got no problem. I believe that politics should be open to people other than professional politicians and so I'm entirely relaxed about it."

But sceptics have questioned the motives behind the celebrity's announcement.

Mr Bruno is currently starring in pantomime and his slogan 'Don't be a plank, vote for Frank' was seen by some as a publicity stunt.

However, Mr Bell, who floored Neil Hamilton's chances of re-election in 1997, welcomed the news.

"His slogan promises a lively campaign, but it is hardly revealing as a statement of policy," he said.

"Politics needs more characters in it and more people with experience of life outside the precincts of Westminster."