THE WELLS and Mendip Hills Executive Committee has announced that James Heappey MP has been selected to be their party's Parliamentary Candidate in the next elections.

Mr Heappey is currently the MP for Wells. In the next elections, which are likely to take place next year, Mr Heappey will be in the running for the new Wells and Mendip Hills constituency which includes Yatton, Blagdon and Cheddar.

Posting on the Wells Conservatives Facebook page, a spokesperson said: "The Wells and Mendip Hills Executive Committee are pleased to announce that James Heappey has been selected to be their Parliamentary Candidate.

"Well done James, many congratulations."

Mr Heappey said: "It is a huge honour to be selected as the candidate for the new seat of Wells and Mendip Hills. Obviously, the boundary changes will mean that Burnham-on-Sea, Highbridge, Berrow, Brean, Glastonbury, Street and the surrounding villages of Ashwick, Chilcompton and Stratton will no longer be in my patch.

"I will miss serving them in Parliament if successfully returned as MP for the new seat. It is important to note that until these boundary changes come in at the next election, I will continue to serve all of those communities and it remains my privilege to do so."

The Liberal Democrats have also confirmed that Tessa Munt will be standing as the Party’s Parliamentary Candidate at the next election.

Ms Munt was the MP for Wells from 2010 to 2015, winning the seat from the Conservatives and ending their 87-year hold on the seat.

Nine years on at the time of the next election, she is making a bid to return to Parliament.

Commenting on her selection as Parliamentary Candidate, she said: “Somerset is my home and always will be.

"I couldn’t be more dedicated to our area, and I am committed to standing up for our part of Somerset in Westminster.

“I am convinced that Wells needs an MP who lives in the area, is accessible to local people and genuinely cares about Somerset.

"With my loyalty, energy and experience, I am ready to serve the residents and organisations of Wells again.”

To keep up to date with candidate announcements, visit each party's respective websites and Facebook pages.