A regional daily’s former political reporter is set to stand for the Liberal Democrats in the forthcoming General Election.

Max Wilkinson, left, formerly of the Gloucestershire Echo, has been announced at the Lib Dems’ candidate for Stroud.

Max worked at the Echo, in Cheltenham, for two years and was its political reporter between January 2011 and August 2012.

He has served on Cheltenham Borough Council since May 2014 and is also a communications consultant.

Of his candidacy, Max said: “This election is a massive opportunity for voters in Stroud to change the direction of our country and prevent the Tory hard Brexit.

“People in Stroud voted decisively to remain in the EU, and certainly did not ask for the extreme Brexit that the Tory government is pursuing – backed by the Labour party.

“If you want to protect the local economy by staying in the single market and have a say on what comes next, this is your chance.

“The Liberal Democrats are the real opposition to the Conservative Brexit government and the only party fighting for a Britain that is open, tolerant and united.”

Max, who began his regional press career on the Weston and Somerset Mercury, will face incumbent Conservative MP Neil Carmichael for the seat.

Mr Carmichael had a majority of 4,866 at the 2015 election, with Stroud’s former Labour MP David Drew in second place.

Mr Drew will stand again for Labour this time round, with Sarah Lunnon standing for the Greens and Glen Gogerly for UKIP.