Peter Gardiner announced as Lib Dem by-election candidate

11.53.20am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 26th Jul 2006

Norman is delighted that Peter is standing for the Lib Dems.

Local man Professor Peter Gardiner has been unanimously selected to stand as the Lib Dem candidate in the forthcoming by-election in the Ouse Valley and Ringmer ward of Lewes District Council which will take place on 17th August.

Peter is familiar with this area, having been in Sussex most of his life. He lives on Lewes Road near Paygate Corner in Ringmer with his wife and four children. He is a recently retired Civil Engineer and was Professor for Civil Engineering and Head of the School of Environment at the University of Brighton for many years.

Peter is keenly aware of environmental issues and successfully directed the Brighton Environmental Body which enjoyed much success through its recycling and waste management programmes which included setting up a trial plant for recycling car body parts in Newhaven.

Peter has the backing of local MP, Norman Baker: "Peter is an excellent choice. He is a Sussex man through and through whose enthusiasm and energy on the part of the people of this ward will make him an excellent councillor for this area as John Fletcher was before him."

Speaking about his selection as candidate Peter says: "I am delighted to have been chosen to stand; it will be a privilege to stand up for the people of the ward in which I live. I am very much looking forward to contesting this by-election and am optimistic about the outcome.

"There are many crucial issues that need to be addressed in the ward from the proposed reservoir at Plashett to the campaign to stop an incinerator being put up close to residents in South Heighton. I want to provide the strong voice for local people that the area now lacks."