LIBERAL Democrats in Yate and Thornbury have picked Northavon MP Steve Webb as their prospective candidate for the next General Election.

The Yate and Thornbury constituency is to be created by the Boundary Commission at the next election.

Mr Webb's current constituency Northavon, which he has represented for 10 years, is to be abolished.

The new constituency has been described as the current Northavon patch minus Almondsbury, Bradley Stoke North, Pilning and Severn Beach and Winterbourne.

The Yate-based MP was confirmed as the Lib Dem's candidate at a unanimous secret ballot at the party's recent annual meeting.

Mr Webb said: "I am delighted to receive such an overwhelming vote of confidence from the local team.

"The campaigning work that I do depends heavily on a large team of volunteers and I believe that we have achieved a lot together over the last 10 years.

"It is a privilege to represent our area, and I am therefore delighted to have been selected as our prospective candidate for the new 'Thornbury and Yate' constituency.

"It is where I live, where I have my office and where my children were born and are growing up.

"This is a great part of the country and I want to continue to make sure that the voice of local people is heard in the corridors of power."

The selection was welcomed by Jean Capstick, who chairs the Thornbury and Yate party.

She said: "Steve has been an excellent MP for our area and we are pleased that is he is keen to continue that work."