BRIDGWATER will have a new MP following the next General Election.

It follows on from a decision to remap and rename many Parliamentary constituencies so that each area has around 70,000 electors.

Ian Liddell-Grainger, the current Conservative MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, will be trying to win the new seat of Tiverton and Minehead after the boundary changes.

That means the Party will need to select a new candidate to stand in the poll in Bridgwater.

Mr Liddell-Grainger has been selected by his Party to contest a new constituency, which includes West Somerset and the area from Wiveliscombe and south all the way to Tiverton.

This weekend Conservative members in the new seat got a chance to meet Mr Liddell-Grainger and decide.

They gave him their overwhelming backing.

He said: "I am delighted to have been chosen.

“The new seat will take a lot of getting used to, but everyone who knows me can be certain that I’m up for the challenge and will fight as hard for Tiverton and Minehead as I will continue to do for Bridgwater and West Somerset.”

The changes will not come into force until the election is called - probably next year.

Wiveliscombe is currently in the Taunton Deane constituency and is represented by Conservative MP Rebecca Pow.