The Liberal Democrats have chosen their candidate to contest Tunbridge Wells in the General Election.

He is Ben Chapelard, 42, a secondary school teacher.

Mr Chapelard is the leader of the eight-strong Liberal Democrat group on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, having been first elected to represent the St James Ward in 2010.

He lives in Hilbert Road in Tunbridge Wells and is married to Jane and the couple have two sons.

He has led local campaigns to have the former ABC cinema demolished and seeking the introduction of doorstep glass recycling, both successfully.

Born in France to a British mother and French father, Mr Chapelard is bilingual and grew up near Paris, moving to the UK when he was 13. Perhaps not surprisingly he is a committed European.

He studied French at the University of Kent in Canterbury and did his teacher training at Cambridge. He teaches French and Spanish at a school in Gravesend and is a qualified national league rugby union referee.

Although Tunbridge Wells has been a traditionally safe Conservative seat, he fancies his chances.

He said: “This election is a defining moment in our country’s history and I believe the Liberal Democrats can win in Tunbridge Wells.

"With the Green Party’s agreeing that they will be standing aside we are now the only party in Tunbridge Wells, which has consistently and unequivocally supported Remain."

The Conservative candidate is Greg Clark who has been the town's MP since 2005.

Nominations close at 4pm on Thursday