LEADING Pendle Liberal Tony Greaves is set to be the constituency's Liberal Democrat choice for the General Election.

The deputy leader of Pendle Council, who has spearheaded his party's efforts locally for more than 25 years, is expected to be the selected at a special constituency meeting tomorrow.

The former geography teacher and long-serving county councillor says his name is in the selection line-up and is being recommended for selection by the local party executive.

But the man who unsuccessfully contested the old Nelson and Colne constituency for the Liberals in the 1970s says he needs colleagues' agreement for him to temporarily relinquish duties on Pendle Council before agreeing to take on the General Election challenge.

That would, for instance, mean his standing down for a time as chairman of the council's Colne district committee.

His selection would also be likely to result in the Winewall-based councillor fighting two elections this year - he is due to defend his Colne county council seat at May's polls. Selection would also see a lively battle with "arch enemy" Gordon Prentice, the Labour MP defending the seat and with whom Coun Greaves has clashed on many occasions.

Coun Greaves said: "Whoever is selected, we are absolutely clear we are going all out to win and promise a very vigorous campaign."

Pendle voters will have at least four choices at the General Election, with the three major parties already declaring and the arrival today of a prospective Referendum candidate.

The man selected is Damian Hockney, a 40-year-old London magazine publisher who boasts clients in the Pendle area.

He said the General Election would be "a farce", adding that people should have the choice on European issues.

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