The Liberal Democrats have selected Dr Anna Fryer to fight the new Pendle and Clitheroe seat in July 4's General Election.

The NHS Lead Consultant launched her campaign at the weekend at The Rainhall Centre in Barnoldswick.

The Conservative candidate is incumbent Pendle MP and health minister Andrew Stephenson

Among the other candidates expected to stand are Paul Graham for the Green Party and former police inspector Jonathan Hinder for Labour, plus Reform UK's Victoria Fletcher.

The new seat has been formed following boundary changes for this election, made up of the old Pendle seat - minus Brierfield which has moved to the Burnley constituency - with Clitheroe extracted from the Ribble Valley and tacked on.

Lancashire Telegraph: Andrew Stephenson is standing again for the ConservativesAndrew Stephenson is standing again for the Conservatives

There is a new Ribble Valley seat minus Clitheroe and Whalley, with some part of Preston added.

Dr Fryer said: “It’s such an honour to be chosen to represent the Liberal Democrats in Pendle and Clitheroe.

"The country - and the NHS in particular - is in a sorry state after over a decade of Tory rule.

"The Conservative candidate - as minister for health and secondary care - has been instrumental in expanding non-doctor roles, while failing to train, recruit and retain doctors.

"Simply put this means more patients would be seeing non-doctors than ever before.

“For voters the decision will be between the Conservative incumbent who has failed to deliver on fixing our broken NHS, or a respected NHS doctor who will stand up for patients and our community in Westminster.

Lancashire Telegraph: Jonathan Hinder is the Labour candidate for Pendle and ClitheroeJonathan Hinder is the Labour candidate for Pendle and Clitheroe (Image: Labour Party)

"I am asking residents to support your NHS and back my campaign to be able to 'see a doctor', and elect me as their next MP.

“I’m frustrated that our community is being failed by the Conservatives.

"Families and businesses are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and the soaring inflation caused by the Conservatives.

"Our environment is being polluted by large companies who profit from the damage they cause and the government is doing nothing to stop it.

"One issue that has been raised time and again by the people of Pendle and Clitheroe on the doorsteps is the horrifying conflict in the Middle East and the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.

“I have spoken to many people about this conflict, and the unimaginable horror facing civilians.

"As Liberal Democrats we have stood consistently and clearly for an immediate bilateral ceasefire in Gaza, an end to the suffering of innocent civilians and the release of all hostages.

“In Parliament, Conservative MPs are out for themselves. People across Pendle and Clitheroe deserve so much better.

"At the next election, a vote for the Liberal Democrats will be a vote for a champion of the NHS who offers the change that we desperately need.”