THE Liberal Democrats have selected James Blanchard, a Kirklees councillor, as the party's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for York Outer ahead of next year’s General Election.

A party spokesman said Mr Blanchard joined the Lib Dems while studying at Leeds University and had worked for a number of major regional companies and organisations in senior communications and campaigning roles, including the Yorkshire Ambulance Service and the Environment Agency.

He was selected to contest the seat at a special hustings meeting at Oaken Grove Community Centre in Haxby.

Mr Blanchard, who said it was an honour to have been selected, pledged to campaign hard alongside local councillors to ensure that York’s precious Green Belt was protected from reckless housing plans.