THE Liberal Democrats have named their candidates to fight the General Election in two Southampton seats.

Adrian Ford will contest Southampton Test, while Eleanor Bell will fight for the Southampton Itchen seat for the party.

With the General Election now just over two months away, both candidates were selected following meetings of local party members.

Ms Bell's career has seen her work in schools, further and higher education, and has recently worked as a project manager for the NHS Information Authority in Winchester and in an administrative role at the University of Southampton.

A member of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and a trustee of the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust, she is a campaigner on environmental and climate change issues.

She said: “With its geothermal resources and potential for wave and tidal energy, Southampton is poised to become one of the greenest cities in the south of England.

“I look forward to pressing forward the renewable energy agenda. I am also passionate about preserving our environment, including our historic heritage.”

Mr Ford has lived in the Test constituency for the past 25 years and has run his own city centre business for the past 17 years.

He said: “Although I think Southampton is a great place to live, I also believe that it needs to promote its assets, such as some of the best kept medieval walls in Britain, one of the largest cruise ports in the world, and the world centre for maritime research more effectively, and to create jobs by encouraging more tourism.

“Nationally I believe that good quality public services, including cheaper and more frequent trains and buses, investing in the health service to make it fit for the 21st century, more support for our schools, colleges and universities, are essential in order to provide all our citizens with a decent standard of living.

“I am keen to encourage development of all forms of renewable energy working towards a future where all of our country's energy needs are met by green renewable energy.”