FAREHAM Liberal Democrats have announced a “young and energetic” candidate to fight the upcoming general election.

Matthew Winnington, currently a Portsmouth City Councillor for the Eastney and Craneswater ward, will contest for the vacant Fareham seat in May.

He was chosen at a hustings meeting and the party says he was a “clear winner” over former chairman of the Portsmouth Lib Dems Simon Dodd.

Mr Winningtonsaid: “I’m really honoured to have been selected to fight the seat for the Lib Dems – Fareham is up for grabs after Tory MP Mark Hoban’s surprising decision to walk away.

“The Lib Dems are the clear challengers in a town where Labour has not managed to elect a councillor since 1999.”

His wife Patricia grew up in Fareham and Mr Winnington believes he has a strong connection with the area after working on recent campaigns.

Fareham Lib Dem chairman Jim Forrest said: “We’re delighted to have a young and energetic candidate who has proved himself in the tough arena of city politics.

“Matthew impressed our members at the meeting as a fluent and confident debater, well-informed on both local and national issues, and we’re confident he’ll be a match for anyone the other parties can field against him.”

The election will be held on May 7.