A FORMER leader of the LibDems on Taunton Deane Council is encouraging a married father-of-four working on green energy projects will stand for the party in Taunton Deane at next May’s General Election.

Cllr Jefferson Horsley believes that Gideon Amos would be an ideal candidate to fight to keep the constituency in LibDem hands.

He is among 14 people who have requested application forms for the vacancy created by Jeremy Browne’s announcement that he would not seek re-election after ten years in the House of Commons.

Mr Amos, who lives in the North Town area of Taunton, currently works on offshore wind farm and tidal energy schemes for the Government.

He is a former chief executive of the Town and Country Planning Association, famous for pioneering the Garden City method of development, and was awarded the OBE in 2009 for services to sustainable development.

His wife, Caroline, who manages the home, including several hens, said: “Gideon and I are a team and nothing is more important to us than the future of our local area where we both grew up.”

Mr Horsley said: “Taunton Deane needs an MP of Gideon's calibre and experience at national level to follow on from the firm foundations laid by Jeremy Browne.”

Mr Amos was unavailable for comment.

It is believed that two candidates living outside Somerset have applied to become the LibDem candidate, while another former LibDem leader of Taunton Deane Council, Ross Henley, has also stated his intent to stand.