A former weekly newspaper editor who became head of the Press Association in Scotland has been selected as a Lib Dem election candidate.

Christine Jardine, left, who was editor of the Deeside Piper, has been selected to stand in the Aberdeen Donside by-election for the Scottish Parliament on 20 June.

She went on to work as a broadcast journalist for the BBC in Aberdeen, before heading up the Scottish Press Association and also served as a special adviser to Scottish Secretary Michael Moore.

Christine was picked to stand for the seat following the death of incumbent MSP Brian Adam who lost his battle with cancer last month.

In a story about her selection, she said: “The North East needs a strong voice in parliament, not yet another nationalist who will bang the drum for independence.

“For too long the SNP government has overlooked Aberdeen. This year alone they short-changed the City Council’s funds to the tune of £20 million.

“I’m pressing the SNP Government to reverse their £20m cut to local council services and for improved rail links to the central belt. Donside towns like Dyce drive the engine of our oil and gas economy, which should mean the North East is better connected to the rest of Scotland.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP added: “Christine will be a strong voice for the North East. As a mother she understands the need for good quality childcare, enabling our young people and families to get on in life.

“Working in partnership with local MP Malcolm Bruce and our North East MSP Alison McInnes, Christine is the woman who will work to deliver a stronger economy and a fairer society for the people of Donside.”

Other candidates for the by-election announced so far include Willie Young for Labour, Ross Thomson for the Conservatives, Mark McDonald for the SNP and Rhonda Reekie for the Green Party.