Mayor Dorothy Thornhill has said she will not be standing as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Watford at the General Election on June 8.

Prime Minister Theresa May called a snap election at an impromptu press conference on Tuesday morning, despite repeatedly ruling out the possibility for months.

Mayor Thornhill, who came third in the 2015 General Election behind Richard Harrington and Labour’s Matt Turmaine, said she was “not surprised” at the PM’s decision to call an election given the fragmented state of the opposition.

READ MORE: Watford MP says PM had 'no choice' with snap election

“She’s an unelected PM and I would want my own mandate. Locally it is a great opportunity for us,” she said.

“It will be a divisive election fought over Brexit. It’s an opportunity to say ‘we have driven to the edge of the cliff, looked over, and decided we don’t want to go there’.”

The Liberal Democrat candidate for Watford has been chosen as Ian Stotesbury, who is running in the upcoming Hertfordshire County Council election as well as the Watford Borough Council by-election for North Watford.

He said: “I welcome the chance to stand up against the damaging hard Brexit this Government is pursuing.

“I’ve put myself forward for election this year because I want to serve the people of Watford and stand up for my beliefs.

“Corbyn’s Labour are a mess so it’s up to me and my party to stand up for the NHS, the environment and a prosperous outward-looking UK.”

Labour, who came second in the 2015 general election, are yet to announce a candidate.

The Watford Labour Party has said members wishing to contest the seat can self-nominate between today (Friday) and Sunday.

A candidate will then be selected from the list of nominations by the end of the month.

Matt Turmaine, who ran two years ago, said Mrs May’s announced had taken everyone by surprise.

He said: “It’s always an exciting time because you can never predict what’s going to happen.”

Incumbent MP Richard Harrington said representing Watford had been the “best experience” of his life, and confirmed he would be standing again as the Conservative candidate on June 8.

He added: “It’s clear that the Prime Minister thought long and hard about this, and it wasn’t an easy decision.

“With the triggering of Article 50 round the corner, we need stability and unity, and this decision ensures that."