JESSE Norman has confirmed he will be standing as the Conservative candidate for Hereford and South Herefordshire in the general election.

He said he has been officially re-adopted as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate and will be standing for re-election on June 8.

Mr Norman said: "Theresa May is rightly seeking a mandate of her own for strong leadership at this election.

"Amongst the party leaders, she in particular is getting huge support from across the political spectrum.

"An increased majority would give her a much stronger hand when it comes to negotiating with our friends in continental Europe, and in resisting calls for a second referendum in Scotland.

"But my first goal has always been to revitalise our local economy - to build a Herefordshire which combines high economic growth with a celebration of our natural heritage and farming economy, from the Golden Valley down to Ross-on-Wye."

He said he is looking forward to the campaign beginning next week. 

Mr Norman added: "It has been my huge honour to be your MP - I feel the privilege of it every day, and I always will - and my team and I are ready to get campaigning. 

"As in 2010 and 2015, I will be running a highly local, highly positive campaign. As you will know, negative campaigning is not my style.  There is still a vast amount to be achieved for our county, and for our country."