Practising witch Marina Pepper is planning a spell as a local councillor. Unfortunately for the headline writers, she'll be no Blair Witch.

She will be nailing her colours firmly to the Liberal Democrat mast as she plunges into Saltdean politics - where the fate of asylum seekers and badgers has been causing much bubble, bubble, toil and trouble of late.

In May, Marina will contest the East Saltdean and Telscombe ward for a seat on Lewes District Council.

While the 35-year-old cannot promise to make the area's problems vanish in a puff of smoke, she hopes she can sweep away any disharmony.

Brought up a pagan, Marina is the author of several books on spells. She grows herbs, practises aromatherapy and describes her specialism as "helping people".

Political unpopularity should not be a problem for the former journalist who is still a writer and studying for a Masters degree at Sussex University.

Marina, of Oaklands Avenue, Saltdean, says she hopes the fact she is a witch will not put people off voting for her.

She said: "I'm not a white witch, I prefer to call myself a good witch."

And she promises to play fair with political opponents.

She believes Saltdean is cosmopolitan enough to be represented by a witch.

She said: "Like anyone with faith, it gives me strength. Witchcraft is part of the whole pagan thing, which is about respect for the natural world, and some of my approach to the environment comes from that."

Marina has been involved in community life since moving to Saltdean five years ago, campaigning for kerbside recycling and setting up the walking bus, which escorts children walking to school.

She said: "I've always been exasperated by people who say they can't be bothered to vote because it doesn't make any difference. I want to get things done and I thought it would be quicker if I was a councillor myself."

Marina is bidding to take the seat of long-serving independent councillor Victor Clayton, who represents the East Saltdean Residents' Association.

She said: "If I was ever going to do a spell on Vic it would definitely be something to keep him happy and healthy."

Mr Clayton declined to say whether he was relieved to hear that, adding: "Under our democracy anyone can stand."

A Liberal Democrat party spokesperson said: "It is for local parties to assess the suitability of candidates. If they believe Marina is a suitable candidate, we stand by that."