A GREEN Party member in Taunton Deane has defected to the LibDems in a bid to defeat the Conservatives in next year's local elections.

Roy Snelling believes the only way to beat the Tories locally is by joining forces with the LibDems.

He has stood for the Greens in local elections in Taunton three times since 2013.

Mr Snelling said he was impressed by his new party's manifesto ideas ahead of the May 2019 poll.

He added: "We all need to support the Liberal Democrats if we are to win Taunton Deane from the Conservatives."

LibDem Parliamentary candidate Gideon Amos said: “I am delighted Roy, having seen some of our emerging local manifesto ideas that place the future of Taunton Deane and the planet at the centre of everything we do, has confirmed his place is with the LibDems.

"As an ordinary LibDem member one can have a real voice in shaping policies, so Roy’s experience and the contribution of the many other new members we have welcomed to our growing local party this year is really welcome."

The Conservatives are the ruling group on Taunton Deane Borough Council, although that authority is merging with West Somerset Council ahead of the election.