TAUNTON Deane MP Rebecca Pow has confirmed she will stand at the next General Election.

She was selected to stand for a fourth time by Conservative Party members for the new Taunton constituency at a meeting at the county town's Great Western Hotel.

Following a boundary review, the constituency boundaries are being redrawn for the next election, probably in 2024.

Ms Pow said: "Taunton has been my home for over 30 years, where I've worked and brought up my family and where I'm incredibly proud to live.

"Since I was first elected in 2015, I have worked hard to represent my constituents and have a successful record of delivering for Taunton Deane, where I've worked effectively on the ground with stakeholders on a range of projects right up to Government level in Westminster."

Among achievements she cited are retaining 40 Commando Royal Marines at Norton Fitzwarren; securing funding for new theatres at Musgrove Park Hospital; and working to achieve the expansion of M5 junction 25.

She said she has seen the completion of the upgrade of Taunton Station and funding for cycling and walking access through Firepool.

"Almost complete too is the digital hub on Firepool, which I worked hard to secure funding for together with the Local Enterprise Partnership which will be a major benefit to new start-up businesses," added Ms Pow.

"Gaining Garden Town status for Taunton was also a significant step.

"I was pleased too that, thanks to funding I unlocked for our high street improvement in Taunton, the Coal Orchard development was able to be completed.

"The Wellington Monument restoration project was a tremendous success story, following a £4million campaign I was delighted to spearhead, supported by the local community and the National Trust and accessing major funding from Government.

"I will continue to work as ever putting the constituency at the heart of all I do and continuing with ongoing projects including the full upgrade of Musgrove Park Hospital, a rail station for Wellington with an associated cycleway from Taunton to Wellington as well as working with the education and business communities to ensure the constituency creates the jobs, skills and training opportunities we need for the future. “

Ms Pow enjoyed majorities of over 15,000 in 2015 and 2017 and won by 11,700 votes in 2019.

Standing against her for the LibDems will be Gideon Amos, who has fought the seat at the last two polls.