THE Labour Party in Stroud has selected six candidates to stand in next year’s county council elections.

Labour leader Lesley Williams will be defending her seat in Stonehouse, as will Steve Lydon in Dursley and Brian Oosthuysen in Rodborough.

The party has also selected Liz Ashton, the current Mayor of Berkeley, who is standing in Cam Valley.

District and town councillor Steve Robinson has been chosen to fight the Nailsworth seat currently held by Conservative Dorcas Binns.

Community activist Debbie Hicks is fighting the seat in Stroud Central and is hoping to topple Green party councillor and former parliamentary candidate Sarah Lunnon.

Lesley Williams said: “We have been an effective opposition to the Tories these last four years, doing what we can to protect public services, but it’s clear for all to see that Tory cuts are having a devastating effect on our schools, health service and social services, especially on elderly and young people.

“The state of our roads are a disgrace for all to see, we will continue to campaign for our roads to be pothole free.

“We are yet to finalise our manifesto, but rest assured we shall do what we can to increase Gloucestershire’s prosperity while standing up for the most vulnerable people in the county.”

She added that candidates for seats in other parts of Stroud District will be selected shortly and campaign on a common platform with Labour candidates throughout Gloucestershire.

The elections for Gloucestershire County Council will take place May 4, 2017.