BATTLE lines have been drawn in the fight for who will represent Ribble Valley’s interests at Westminster after the next general election.

Political candidates have now been selected for the four main political parties in Ribble Valley, which is currently held by Conservative’s Nigel Evans.

He will recontest his seat and will be defending a majority of 14,171.

UK Independence Party hopeful Steve Rush, 55, the former Clitheroe FC chairman is the latest to throw his hat into the ring.

The father-of-three who has worked in the financial industry was chairman of the town's football club for eight years.

Paul Nuttall, UKIP Chairman and North West MEP said: "I am delighted to have Steve Rush standing for UKIP in the Ribble Valley. He has shown through his dedication to Clitheroe FC over the years that he is an active and passionate local man.

“His selections shows that UKIP has local issues and local people at heart".

Other candidates for the top job are Bamber Bridge West councillor Paul Foster for the Labour Party and former Clitheroe mayor Allan Knox for the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Knox, who emigrated from Scotland to the North West and worked as agent for Chris Davies, who is now a Lib Dem MEP, said: “If I am successful at the elections I will use my position to get the best for the people of the Ribble Valley.

“I will be making sure that I fight for the concerns of the rural communities in this constituency which currently focus on the state of the economy and improvement in service provisions.”

Meanwhile, current Tory MP Nigel Evans, said he was feeling very confident about retaining his seat.

“I think these elections will be a tipping point and all the seats around me including Pendle and Hyndburn will be turning blue which is great because I have been quite lonely and I’m hoping that I will be surrounded by many new colleagues and friends in Lancashire.”