Mebyon Kernow has selected Dr Loveday Jenkin to contest the Camborne and Redruth seat at next year’s General Election.

Speaking after a selection meeting in Pool Loveday, who is currently Cornwall Councillor for Crowan and Wendron, described herself as “extremely proud” that she had been chosen to represent the party.

She said: “The coming parliamentary election offers a wonderful opportunity for local people to put Cornwall on the map by electing a Mebyon Kernow MP.

“I believe that the only way to improve issues in this constituency and Cornwall is to vote for an independently-minded MK Member of Parliament, determined to speak up for the best interests of Cornwall at every opportunity.”

Loveday, who was elected to Kerrier District Council in 1995 and served until the authority was abolished in 2009, was then elected to Cornwall Council in a by-election in 2011 and re-elected last year.

She is now chairman of the Standards Committee.

Loveday grew up in Leedstown and now lives in Praze-an-Beeble with her husband Adrian Spalding. They have two grown-up children.

Educated at the universities of Cardiff and Cambridge, Loveday was awarded a PhD in plant biochemistry. Upon her return to Cornwall, she has worked with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, the Natural Environment Service at Cornwall County Council and the National Trust in a number of environmental and management roles.

Loveday is also active in promoting the Cornish language and is currently the chair of Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek (the Cornish Language Fellowship).