Liberal Democrats in South Suffolk have chosen a local candidate to try to build on their second place in the 2010 general election.

Grace Weaver, 25, has been selected to fight the seat in next year’s general election when she will be trying to overturn the Tories’ 8,689 majority.

She was selected just days after the Conservatives chose businessman James Cartlidge, 40, from Assington near Sudbury to defend the seat.

Miss Weaver lived in East Bergholt for the first 20 years of her life and said she has a strong knowledge of local issues including housing, education and transport.

Her priorities for the campaign include engaging more young people with the party and highlighting the party’s achievements in Government.

She said: “I’m overjoyed to represent the Liberal Democrats in the area where I grew up. It’s going to be a tough fight, but I think we can be proud of what we’ve achieved in Government.

“By listening to local people and working with them to find solutions to local problems, I think we can show voters that we are the best party to represent them in local and national Government.”

After attending local schools, Grace went on to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

She has worked for two cancer charities and now acts as a public affairs and campaigns consultant to health charities and companies.

David Busby, Chair of Babergh Liberal Democrats, commented: “We are extremely fortunate to have such an outstanding candidate.

“Grace would be a huge asset for the people of South Suffolk as their MP. We need someone who not only understands the local issues but also has the drive and political awareness to get them resolved.

“It is time we handed over the baton to the next generation and Grace is the perfect person.”

Miss Weaver will also be up against Labour’s Jane Basham from Hadleigh and the Green Party’s Robert Lindsay from Bildeston in next year’s election which is likely to be watched closely after the Tories deselected MP Tim Yeo.