A LEADING York Liberal Democrat is hoping to make it third time lucky and become the city's MP at the next general election.

City of York Council deputy leader Andrew Waller, who has fought the City of York seat twice before, was on Saturday selected to take on sitting Labour MP Hugh Bayley.

Coun Waller's selection means both Mr Bayley's main party rivals have now declared their candidates. Local Conservatives unveiled Clive Booth as their hopeful in March.

Coun Waller said: "I am very honoured that the Liberal Democrats have re-selected me to be their candidate. These are very difficult times for Labour, and with Hugh Bayley's support for the Iraq War and tuition fees he is going to find it difficult to motivate his own activists. The Conservatives have no councillors in the constituency, and their vote has been falling for the past three general elections."

Other candidates who have declared their plans to run against Mr Bayley are former Clifton Without parish councillor turned amateur porn star Christine Cranfield, and pro-cannabis campaigner, Steve Clements.

Updated: 10:48 Monday, May 10, 2004