A FORMER mayor and husband to the House of Lords deputy speaker has been selected to contest the Richmond constituency for the Liberal Democrats.

Councillor John Harris was picked by Richmond Liberal Democrat Association's executive to challenge for the seat days after the party's previous candidate, Chris Foote Wood, resigned, citing a lack of support from the local association.

Mr Foote Wood said some senior members of the association were arrogant and that it was not capable of mounting a sustained election campaign.

Mr Harris has lived in the town for nearly 40 years with his wife, Baroness Angela Harris of Richmond, taught biology at Richmond School and has served on the town's council for 20 years.

He said: "I feel I know Richmond and district very well and I'm in tune with a lot of the community feeling.

"I think there is greater scope for expanding doctors' services that will save people from having to travel."

Mr Harris said he did not think the local party's disagreement with Mr Foote Wood would damage his chances and that he was hoping to equal or better the Liberal Democrats second place in the seat at the 2010 election.

Mr Harris contested the Shipley constituency in West Yorkshire at the last general election, coming third with 9,890 votes, which represented a swing of 4.8 per cent for the Liberal Democrats.