A former Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate and campaigner has defected to the Tories.

Former headteacher Dennis Wharton has ditched the Lib Dems to link up with MP Richard Harrington and the Watford Conservatives.

Mr Wharton, who will stand for election on to Watford Borough Council next year, criticised the Lib Dems' "lack of vision" and "dated campaign" as he switched his party allegiance on Wednesday.

He finished fourth and 25,000 votes behind Conservative MP Harriett Baldwin in the West Worcestershire seat in May’s General Election.

Mr Wharton said: "For several years now I have been struggling to find any good reasons to stay with the Lib Dems.

"It was no surprise to me that the Watford Lib Dems did badly in the elections on May 7.

"For several years I have seen the party diminish in its lack of vision, along with a very dated and repetitive campaign, which failed to inspire voters.

"I knew this day would eventually come, and their weaknesses have now been exposed."

Mr Harrington, who romped back in to the House of Commons last month, said the new addition was a "coup" for the Tories.

He said: "Dennis is well-respected in the community with his political work, as well as in business and as a teacher.

"Dennis is a tireless campaigner and I see this as a real coup. The defection is a real sign of weakness within the Lib Dem ranks."

Watford’s Lib Dem Mayor Dorothy Thornhill, who finished third in her bid for Whitehall, believes Mr Wharton made the wrong decision but wished him well.

She said: "The election affected all of us - we are all smarting from it - it hits people different ways but we haven’t all run off to the nearest party.

"I wish him well, though."