THE beautiful rural Ribble Valley looks set for a clean contest on Thursday with sitting Tory MP Nigel Evans set for a clear victory.

Unlike two years ago there are four candidates instead of eight.

Shopkeeper David Brass who stood then and in the 1991 by-election that Mr Evans unexpectedly lost is no longer a thorn in the 59-year-old Conservative's side.

UKIP have decided not stand against Mr Evans, a leading campaigner for Brexit, gifting him most of their 8,250 votes from 2015.

Since regaining the affluent Tory stronghold from the Liberal Democrats in 1992 by 6,542 votes, Mr Evans majority has increased.

Even after his 2013 arrest and acquittal on sexual assault charges, he only saw a 1.2 per cent swing against him leaving a comfortable 13,606 majority.

If the other candidates Ribble Valley Liberal Democrat councillor Alan Knox, Labour's David Hinder and Green Graham Sowter are fighting for second place they are determined to put up a fierce struggle.

Mr Hinder, a recent winner of TV quiz show 'The Chase', is the only one the three not to want a second referendum on Brexit but wants a proper negotiating strategy not Tory confrontation.

He believes Labour's commitment to scrapping university tuition fees will be popular with young people, parents and grandparents.

Mr Hinder said: "We need to see better rail links to the rest of Lancashire and Manchester gradually taking the railways back into public ownership will achieve.

"The Ribble Valley needs more affordable housing to buy and rent especially for young people.

"We need to reverse cuts in police numbers so we don't have to rely on response units from outside the constituency."

IT consultant Cllr Knox believes that the LibDems can either oust Labour from second place or run them very close.

The 52-year-old also believes more affordable housing is a key local issue.

He wants more investment in the NHS and adult social care paid for with a penny on income tax.

Cllr Knox said: "This is much better way to pay for care of the elderly than taking large amounts out of people's inheritances.

"Houses in the Ribble Valley cost a lot and Mrs May's botched proposal of taking the cost of care from bequeathed homes will drastically affect many young people's ability to get in the housing ladder in Ribble Valley."

Mr Sowter, like Mr Knox is clear any Brexit deal needs a second referendum.

He said: "The negotiations must tackle climate and environmental issues and a policy on free-movement which stops people heading to prosperous places.

"We must cut the use of fossil fuels or we are on the fast track to disaster.

"The Whalley Hydro Project, which I helped found, was a far better answer to our energy needs than fracking."

Mr Evans believes the heat has gone out of the housing issue as most development applications have been 'settled' but pledges to campaign to protect the constituency's green belt from further home building.

He is heartened by the Tories regaining control of Lancashire County Council and re-opening Whalley library, adding: "Getting back our rural bus services is next. We pay a lot to the county and deserves our fair share back."

Mr Evans is delighted at the absence of UKIP, Labour's 'half-hearted' acceptance of Brexit and the Greens and LibDems second referendum demand.

He said: "I have not come across a single 'Out' voter who regretted it but many 'Remainers' who just want to get on with leaving.

"I will ensure the negotiations protect Ribble Valley farmers, tourism and our aerospace industry while making the most of the global opportunities on offer."

So for Mr Evans Brexit is unlikely to mean exit and this election should be a much more comfortable ride than 2015.

The candidates are: Nigel Evans, Conservative; David Hinder, Labour; Allan Knox, Liberal Democrat; Graham Sowter, Green.

The 2015 result: Nigel Evans Conservative 25,404; David Hinder Labour 11,798; Shirley Parkinson UK Independence Party 8,250; Jackie Pearcey Liberal Democrat 2,756; Graham Sowter Green 2,193; David Brass Independent 1,498; Grace Astley Independent 288; Tony Johnson Independent Political Alliance Party 56. MAJORITY 13,606. TURNOUT 67.1 per cent.