Two councillors have thrown their hats into the ring to become MPs for the Isle of Wight.

Cllr Michael Lilley and Cllr Nick Stuart have been selected as the Liberal Democrats' prospective parliamentary candidates.

Cllr Lilley will do battle for Isle of Wight East, while Cllr Stuart will fight for Isle of Wight West in the next general election.

The last Isle of Wight Liberal Democrat MP was Peter Brand, who served between 1997 and 2001 and died last year.

Read more: Former Isle of Wight MP and GP Peter Brand dies aged 76

This year also happens to be the 50th anniversary of Liberal Stephen Ross first being elected as MP in 1974. He was in the role for 13 years until retiring in 1987.

Commenting on his selection, Cllr Lilley said: “I am honoured to be selected by the Liberal Democrats especially as it is the anniversary of the incredible win by Steve Ross which I witnessed as a schoolboy on the Island in 1974.

“Like Steve I am an established Isle of Wight councillor and have a track record including four years as Mayor of Ryde, the largest residential town. I live in East Wight and I passionately love this beautiful part of the Island from Wootton Creek to Ventnor.

"I love its people, nature, beaches and spirit. I firmly believe we can replicate Steve Ross’s great victory.”

Cllr Stuart said: “It’s a great honour to have been selected and to have the chance to follow in the footsteps of former MPs Steve Ross and Peter Brand in putting forward a liberal alternative.

“Since winning my council seat from the Conservatives in a by-election just fourteen months ago, I have tackled many issues as a ward councillor that also affect residents across West Wight such as supporting flood-hit local residents, fighting unsuitable developments, and campaigning to save the Military Road.

"And I look forward to continuing to campaign for affordable housing for Islanders, sustainable economic development and jobs, and Island legislation that gives us the powers to fix Island problems.”

Elsewhere, Reform UK's candidate for the newly-created Isle of Wight East constituency is Sarah Morris.

Also confirmed to be in the running for the same area are former Isle of Wight Conservative leader Joe Robertson and Green Party parliamentary candidate, Vix Lowthion.

For the Isle of Wight East, the Labour party has yet to announce a candidate.

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Meanwhile, in Isle of Wight West, parliamentary candidates officially named so far are: Sitting Conservative MP, Bob Seely; Green Party candidate, Cameron Palin and Liberal Democrat, Nick Stuart.

Labour's Richard Quigley has announced his intention to stand subject to the formal selection process.