SINEAD SHEPPARD, who was a member of the pop group Six, is standing for Fine Gael in the forthcoming local elections on 5 June.

Six were formed on the RTé programme Popstars in 2002. Until now, they were most famous for their association with Girls Aloud singer Nadine Coyle, who was originally selected for the group but later disqualified as she had lied about her age.

Despite their first single 'Whole Lotta Lovin'' selling over 160,000 copies and their album being the third-highest-selling album of all time in Ireland, the group disbanded in 2003.

Sheppard (26), who runs a successful dance-school business in Cobh for the last three years, has been added to the Fine Gael ticket for the Cobh town council and Cork county council elections.

Speaking to the Sunday Tribune, she said: "I have always had an interest in politics and have got really big into it in the last year. Last summer I decided I would run for the local town council and a few weeks ago I was added to the ticket for the county council election as well so I am out canvassing already.

"For all young people, you cannot help but sit up and take notice of what is happening in politics. Over the last year politics has been more in your face given how bad the country is going.

"That alone has given me the push to get involved."

Sheppard wants to help create tourism jobs in Cobh if she is elected. When asked why she has decided to run for Fine Gael, she said, "For me personally they are a great party for working for young people. They have always pushed the fact that they want to get young voters out. For a young person running that is an attraction."

She believes her pop-star past will help her in politics, and said, "I definitely don't think my involvement in Six will hinder me. If anything, people are aware of my face and that should help me a small bit as they will recognise me. When it comes to politics, a huge part of it is down to the calibre of the person."

After Six finished up in 2003, Sheppard moved to Los Angeles for a year with fellow band member Liam McKenna. She took dance classes there for a year before returning home to set up her dance school in Cobh.

"I had always been involved in dance and pantomime in Cork so I set up my dance school, for four- to 18-year olds, three years ago. Without Six and Popstars I would probably not have my dance school today.

"I run six schools in the east Cork area and as that is the area I am contesting in the county council elections, I am well-known because of the school in towns such as Midleton, Cobh and Carrigtwohill."

Sheppard says all the former Six members are on friendly terms and that they will come to Cobh for her campaign launch on 17 April.