The Liberal Democrats have selected their candidate to stand for election to Westminster in the South-West Herts constituency.

Councillor Christopher Townsend, who represents Tring West and Rural for Dacorum Borough Council, has been chosen to stand against incumbent Conservative MP David Gauke at the next General Election.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been chosen as the candidate. I intend to run a vigorous and energetic campaign.

“The Liberal Democrats offer a strong and realistic programme of change and I intend to get this message out to everyone in the constituency. We are the only party that is sound on the economy and committed to doing something about the environment. Having a Liberal Democrat MP would be an asset for the whole community.”

Mr Townsend moved to Tring from London in 2003 and currently works as a senior risk manager for a bank in the City of London.

He was elected to Dacorum Borough Council and Tring Town Council in 2007.

Chris Brearley, chairman of South West Herts Liberal Democrats said "We are very pleased to have Christopher as our Parliamentary candidate. The Lib Dems came a very strong second in the 2005 General Election. Christopher's commitment and experience are just what is needed here. The electors could not do better than to choose Christopher to represent them in Parliament next year."