LIBERAL Democrats in Pendle have chosen the borough’s current mayor, Coun Graham Roach, as their prospective candidate for the constituency at the general election next May.

Coun Roach has been a member for Colne’s Waterside Ward for almost eight years and lives at Greenfield in Colne.

He works for a global company which builds and designs pharmaceutical and chemical plants.

Coun Roach grew up in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire and left school after O-levels to become an apprentice.

He has a career as an engineer and his experience has involved petrochemicals, nuclear and oil rigs. He has worked in many parts of the world including India, Africa, the Middle East and North America.

Coun Roach described the Liberal Democrats as “the all-inclusive party”. He said: “What I want to do is run for MP, encourage people in Pendle to become Liberal Democrats, and make our party the party for the people of Pendle.”

He said the Liberals had proved their value to local people at council level over many decades.

“It’s now time that Pendle has a Liberal Democrat to represent them in Parliament.”

He emphasised that he would continue to carry out his duties as Mayor of Pendle together with the mayoress, his partner Joanna Sagar, on a strictly non-political basis.

“I will be very careful to keep my two roles completely separate.”