RUNNING as the Liberal Democrats prospective party candidate for Great Yarmouth in the general election this spring will be father-of-one Simon Partridge, currently chairman of North Norfolk District Council.

RUNNING as the Liberal Democrats prospective party candidate for Great Yarmouth in the general election this spring will be father-of-one Simon Partridge, currently chairman of North Norfolk District Council.

The 47-year-old owns and runs a B&B in Catfield with wife Jean.

Caister born, Mr Partridge is a magistrate, and worked as the museum education officer for Yarmouth museums before being elected to the council in 2003.

In 2004, he became leader of the district council's Liberal Democrats group and the council, before becoming chairman four years later.

Mr Partridge said: “Great Yarmouth is the only seat I would dream of running for. I was born around here and I think an MP should have very strong ties to their constituency.”

He says the Liberal Democrats can offer change when compared to the “old” Labour and Conservative party, and included in his plans for the constituency are a revitalisation of the area by increasing access and improving infrastructure links with the rest of the country.

“We've had the fantastic outer harbour but we don't have a link between it and the A47, and that's something we should have been fighting for when the harbour was built. I want to see an MP who leads from the front, and who is proud to represent the area. I want to get industry in and get Great Yarmouth on the map.”

This week Ian Holman, former Green Party candidate for Great Yarmouth who lives in Gorleston, said he would be supporting Conservative candidate Brandon Lewis in the general election.

No longer a member of the Green Party, he previously worked in local government for 25 years. Mr Holman said “While my political bias is a little left of the line I am happy to push aside party politics. I have met Brandon and discussed local and national issues with him. In my view he has the drive, enthusiasm and commitment to become a great representative for Great Yarmouth.”