SIR Vince Cable MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats for a few more days, got behind the bar when he dropped into a Taunton pub.

Sir Vince served up a pint of cider to fellow party member Gideon Amos in The Plough, in Station Road, as landlady Willow Reed looked on.

And after a long train journey he decided he also need a bit of refreshment and helped himself to a pint of Somerset's traditional tipple.

The politician then walked to the house of Mr Amos, who is standing in the next General Election in Taunton Deane to congratulate LibDem councillors who won the recent Somerset West and Taunton Council election.

He also visited North Town Primary School and met a number of business leaders at Blackbrook during his time in Taunton yesterday (Wednesday).

Sir Vince spoke of his party's opposition to fracking.

He said: "It is an unnecessary form of fossil fuel extraction, at odds with fighting the climate crisis and achieving a low or zero carbon economy.

"Harnessing the full potential of renewable energy provides a better and more sustainable way forwards.

"I commend the LibDem-led Somerset West and Taunton Council for taking the lead in combating the threat to frack in West Somerset, including their success with an anti-fracking motion this week.

"I hope the Tory-led county council and Conservative MPs are listening and will be persuaded to follow suit and join the growing campaign to prevent fracking in the area."

Referring to Mr Amos's attempts to defeat sitting Conservative MP Rebecca Pow at the next poll, he added: "Taunton Deane is an area of significant Liberal Democrat strength.

"We have held the parliamentary seat before and, following our victory in winning the local council, we are working hard to elect a LibDem MP again at the next general election.

"Taunton Deane has an excellent candidate in Gideon Amos, who has shown himself to be a strong and effective campaigner, championing what really matters to local people and growing the LibDem vote.

"Gideon would be a fantastic and formidable MP for Taunton Deane constituents, standing up for their interests and working hard on their behalf.

"He has successfully run a national organisation and has significantly contributed to the Ministerial Taskforces we took forward on Zero Carbon Homes and on Garden Cities."