COUNCIL candidate Carol Mochan has been selected by Labour to stand for election in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock at the general election.

Ms Mochan came in second to MSP Jeane Freeman in the Scottish Parliament elections last year.

She is already representing Labour at the upcoming council elections in Ward 8 Cumnock and New Cumnock on May 4. 

Chair of the local constituency Labour Party, Ms Mochan said: "I have been campaigning in every part of this constituency for many years and know at first hand the problems people face and the issues they raise.

"Only Labour can stand up to the Tories here and fight their cruel austerity programme. Only Labour can defeat the SNP and put an end to their obsession with another independence referendum.

"For the past two years we have had an ineffective MP with nothing to say and incapable of standing up for the local area. This election provides the opportunity to change that and elect an MP again who is is not afraid to work hard; stand up for local people and fight on their behalf."

Ms Mochan grew up in the constituency and attended Girvan Primary School and Auchinleck Academy. Having worked in the NHS she now runs a successful kennels business in Mauchline.

Former Labour MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, Sandra Osborne, added: “I’m delighted that Carol has been selected. She is a very hard working and committed person and would make an excellent MP for this constituency. This area desperately needs a strong voice in Parliament once again and Carol would be just that."