A PEEBLESSHIRE businesswoman has been selected to represent the Scottish Liberal Democrats at next year's Holyrood elections.

Catriona Bhatia will be her party’s leading candidate on the South of Scotland regional list for the Scottish Parliament contest in May 2021.

She said: "Our area, with its stunning natural environment and its innovative businesses, has so much potential to have a vibrant, rural economy and be part of the green recovery that the Lib Dems are calling for.”

Mrs Bhatia, who has previously been the deputy leader of Scottish Borders Council, stood for the Lib Dems in the UK parliamentary election in 2010 and took part in the EU parliament election in 2019.

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A councillor for Tweeddale West between 2003 and 2017, she was the education convener from 2007 - 2010.

She was also the council representative to NHS Borders and the Commission for Local Tax Reform.

Now, she says she is looking forward to campaigning in the South of Scotland.

“People across the area have been telling me they feel let down by this centralist Scottish Government and want more investment in our communities,” said Mrs Bhatia.

“I am determined to ensure that I can be their voice in Holyrood to get the services and support that are needed to address social, educational and health inequalities across the South of Scotland.”

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Mrs Bhatia, who lives near Peebles with her husband, Rajiv, and their four children, runs a company with her husband promoting and supporting Scotch whisky exports.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “I’m delighted to have Catriona standing for the Liberal Democrats in the Borders.

“We have a diverse and talented group of candidates seeking election in 2021 and she is a valuable member of that team.

“I know she will fight fiercely for their local communities and people’s access to well-resourced public services.

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“This is a really exciting and important election. It’s a chance to push for recovery through partnership.

“Liberal Democrats will be focused on supporting people and businesses out of this crisis and putting the future of the planet centre stage.”