LOCAL MP David Mundell will attempt to retain his Westminster seat at the next general on.

The 57-year-old has been reselected as Scottish Conservative and Unionist party as their prospective parliamentary candidate.

Mr Mundell was chosen by party members from across the Dumfriesshire Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency at a special meeting in Moffat.

After his reselection, Mr Mundell told us: "It has always been a great privilege to represent such a fantastic and diverse rural constituency and I'm sincerely grateful party members have again given me their backing.

"I look forward to standing on my record at the forthcoming election.

"My aim, as always, is to be a diligent, community-minded MP who puts constituents first.

"A vote for me will be the only effective way locally to halt the SNP obsession for independence and the damaging consequences splitting the UK would bring."

The former corporate lawyer, who cut his teeth in politics as a councillor, was born and brought up in Dumfriesshire.

He was an MSP before being elected MP in 2005 for the newly created Dumfriesshire Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency.

Mr Mundell has been returned at every subsequent election and until recently, as Secretary of State for Scotland, was amongst the longest serving members of the then UK Cabinet.