STROUD Liberal Democrats have selected their candidate for the General Election.

Adrian Walker-Smith was the Liberal SDP Alliance candidate for Stroud in 1987 when he came second with 31% of the vote.

He has lived in the town since 1998.

After being selected, Mr Walker-smith spoke of his gratitude about being given the chance to represent his party.

He said: “I am grateful to my fellow Liberal Democrats for giving me the opportunity to represent our party in the next General Election and I intend to enjoy myself.

“The other candidates seem a reasonable bunch and I hope we can come together in giving the electors a fair picture of what it will mean to vote for each of us.

“It is no secret the Liberal Democrat support in Stroud is currently around 5%, but I shall campaign vigorously and can take comfort from the fact that those who support us do so for positive reasons and not as a protest vote.

“I expect that as polling day comes closer electors will examine what parties will do in government.

“It is a fact that any of the parties fighting this election could be in a position of deciding who will be in government next year and this is something voters should take into account.”