THE town's Liberal Democrats have chosen their prospective parliamentary candidate for Warrington South.

Professor of physics Roger Barlow, aged 49, takes over from Peter Walker who fought the seat at the last general election.

This is a return to his roots for Roger, who works at Manchester University. He and his family lived in Grappenhall when he joined the Liberal Party and he was one of the first Liberal members on Grappenhall Parish Council.

In the 1997 General Election, Roger was the candidate for Tatton, but stood down in favour of the Independent candidate Martin Bell in the famous campaign that saw Tory Neil Hamilton lose his seat and an 18,000 majority.

Roger said: "It's great to be back in Warrington where there are now so many Liberal Democrat councillors.

"My job is to tell voters we can do a good job for them at Westminster as well as the Town Hall.

"We oppose grandiose projects whether in Palmyra Square or at the Millennium Dome. We believe in true consultation whether planning a big science project or a new food outlet.

"We know communities can work together, whether divided by the Ship Canal or the English Channel. We are not into spin, or the tabloid headlines, just in offering the same sensible, caring and successful approach on national issues as we already do locally."