DESPITE the trauma of the defection of Peter Temple-Morris to Labour ahead of the 2001 election, Leominster is a solid Conservative seat. Sitting MP Bill Wiggin won with a majority of 10,367 in 2001, his nearest challenger being the Liberal Democrat Celia Downie. Since then, he has been promoted to the shadow cabinet with responsibility for Wales.

Conservative BILL WIGGIN lives in Ledbury with his wife Milly and their two children, Jack and Rosie.

He will be campaigning for improved road safety, particularly on the A49 and the A44 Bromyard Road. The need for more hospital beds and clamping down on illegal travellers will also be major issues for him.

PAUL BELL will fight the seat for Labour. Paul lives in Warwick but says, if elected, he would move to Leominster. He says he will campaign for equality and opportunity for all and would like to see less under-paid workers in the constituency. He said he would also focus on affordable housing and eradicating pensioner poverty.

FELICITY NORMAN last contested the Leominster seat for the Green Party in 1997. A part-time teacher and former district councillor from Luston, near Leomins-ter, Felicity has stood for the party at local, national and European level. She said the party wants to tackle climate change, poverty, injustice and conflict both at home and around the world. Major issues include promoting sustainable communities and halting the decline of rural amenities such as Post Offices, shops and schools.

The Liberal Democrats have selected CAROLINE WILLIAMS, who was born and brought up in the area and lives in Westhope with her husband and young son. An international businesswoman and student barrister, her family have lived and farmed in the area for generations. She said one of her main issues will be the promotion of local produce and addressing concerns about polytunnels.

PETER WHYTE VENABLES will represent the United Kingdom Independence Party.

1997 result: Bill Wiggin (Con) 22,879; Celia Downie (Lib Dem) 12,512; Stephen Hart (Lab) 7,872; Pippa Bennett (Green) 1,690; Christopher Kingsley (UKIP) 1,590; John Haycock (Ind) 186. Turnout: 69.3 per cent.

n Yarkhill's Christopher Kingsley will fight the Hereford seat for UKIP.