The Liberal Democrats have selected Rebecca Hanson as their candidate for the Copeland by-election.

Mrs Hanson said: "This by-election is a chance for people to send a strong message against a hard Brexit that damages local jobs by pulling Britain out of the Single Market.

"It's also an opportunity to reject this Conservative government's underfunding of our NHS and say no to plans to move vital services like maternity and A&E from the West Cumberland Hospital to Carlisle.

"I am passionate about standing up for West Cumbria, and recognise the vital role that the nuclear industry plays in our local economy.

"I'm proud to be have been selected as the candidate for the Liberal Democrats."

In September, Mrs Hanson, of Kirkgate, Cockermouth, became her party’s first ever Cockermouth town councillor.

She is a maths education consultant.

Copeland Labour MP Jamie Reed will step down from the role at the end of this month to take a job at Sellafield, triggering a by-election.

Labour will have to formally move the by-election writ to select his replacement, and can dictate the date constituents will go to the polls.