THE FOREST of Dean branch of UKIP has chosen a London-based businessman to fight the General Election.

Steve Stanbury says he will move to the constituency by the end of the month.

The father-of-three edged out local favourite Cllr Alan Preest of Lydney to secure the nomination.

He said: "This is a vitally important seat for our party and deserves a full-time commitment.

"Our campaign here cannot be fought only at weekends or by someone commuting from outside the constituency."

Mr Stanbury said the party will also be looking to win a majority of seats on the Forest Council in the district council election which also takes place in May next year.

The party currently has one district councillor, Cllr Simon Roberts, who represents Bromsberrow and Dymock.

He added: "I will put everything into working alongside local UKIP campaigners to mount an effective, hard-hitting and election winning campaign.

"I will work hard with all Forest of Dean residents to fully understand all the local issues, challenges and opportunities for this constituency.

"I believe my role is to co-ordinate and lead a vigorous and hard-hitting election campaign – in partnership with and involving every member of our local UKIP branch and every resident."

He has also dismissed claims that he was 'parachuted' into the Dean by UKIP head office as "quite wrong".

He said: "UKIP has no such mechanism or procedure for this – unlike the Tories and Labour.  

"It was a free vote open only to paid-up UKIP members of the Forest of Dean branch,  no one knew what the result would be.  

"I'm honoured to have been given this great responsibility and will be moving to the Forest very soon, and look forward to becoming an active member of this vibrant local community."

There were originally five potential candidates but two pulled out at a late stage leaving three to address the hustings at Parkend Workingmen's Club.

UKIP branch chairman Cllr Richard Leppington said: "I'm looking forward to working with Steve over the next few months and subsequent years."

Cllr Preest said: "Naturally I would have preferred to have won but I'm convinced Steve will make an excellent candidate.

"From a personal point of view his candidacy will allow me to concentrate on the extremely important district council elections taking place at the same time next May."