Veteran Watford councillor Rabi Martins has been selected as the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Hemel Hempstead.

The retired business management consultant, who represents Central ward on Watford Borough Council, will challenge incumbent Conservative MP Mike Penning in the forthcoming General Election.

Councillor Martins has been unsuccessful at four previous General Elections, standing as a Liberal Democrat candidate in Hornchurch in 1997, in Luton South in 2001, in Regents Park and Kensington North in 2005 and in Luton North in 2010.

He also applied to be the Lib Dem candidate for Watford in 2004 but was beaten by Sal Brinton, who was the party’s candidate in 2005 and 2010.

This election he challenged for the selection in Watford but lost out to Elected Mayor of Watford Dorothy Thornhill.

Councillor Martins was first elected to Watford Borough Council for Central in 1994 but lost his seat in 1998. He was re-elected to the council in 1999 and has served as a councillor ever since.

He said: "I feel honoured to have been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Hemel Hempstead Constituency.

"The combination of the town and the surrounding villages give this constituency an unique character whose potential is not being fully utilised for the benefit of all the residents.

"Given its location and excellent transport links, Hemel Hempstead ought to have been attracting the top national and international companies.

"But from what I can see it lags behind neighbouring towns. I intend to find out why that is and do all I can to help the constituency become a destination of choice of choice for high tech high value companies.

"I am also keen to get some clarity about the future of the local hospital services from the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust."