A Preston councillor is to stand as a Conservative candidate in the general election – to represent Southport.

Damien Moore, who represents Greyfriars and is deputy leader of Preston Conservatives, stood in Southport in 2015.

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He plans to stand again, in the Lib Dem held seat, after John Pugh – the man he lost to two years ago – decided not to stand.

Cllr Moore, 37, works as a retail manager in ASDA.

He said: I am delighted to have been selected as the candidate for Southport and I would be honoured to represent it, working hard in Westminster to be a strong local voice on the issues that matter to our area.

“Every vote will count in this General Election to help strengthen Theresa May’s negotiating position on Brexit.

“So on June 8, the choice is clear, Theresa May’s Conservative Team providing strong and stable leadership for the United Kingdom, or a divided Labour Party, propped up by a Liberal Democrat, SNP coalition of chaos led by a failed and bumbling Jeremy Corbyn that will put our nation’s future at risk.”

Read more: Preston to Southport trains could be brought back – and be direct

The Lib Dems hold the seat with a majority of 1,300 votes and Sefton Lib Dem group leader councillor Sue McGuire is to stand.

Labour is yet to announce its candidate for the seat.