GAZETTE & HERALD: TOWN councillor Ellie Bland is to embark on a battle in Wales in an attempt to become a Conservative MP.

Ellie Bland, from Quemerford, was only elected as a town councillor in 2003 and will now be competing against other candidates in Swansea East.

Coun Bland had to attend meetings with the Parliamentary Assessment Board to ensure she was a suitable candidate and then was put on a shortlist.

Born near Pontypool in Gwent, she said: "It was a very nice and lovely

feeling to be told I was the one selected out of all the people on the list and that I can stand for the forthcoming election.

"They are very warm and welcoming in Swansea. There are some great issues and you can almost feel the battle beginning."

Coun Bland moved to Calne in 1998 and became a councillor after she believed no one was representing her views well enough at council level.

She now faces moving again if she is elected, but not before: "It would not be possible to move house at the moment with working and fighting an election."

Coun Bland added she would not be stopping her duties as a town councillor unless she is elected as an MP.

"It's important to remember it's the electorate who put you there and it's the same as an MP.

"I am starting to put my campaign together. I am going to the Welsh Assembly next week and I will be discussing various issues with the Conservatives.

"The seat has been held by Donald Anderson for Labour for 31 years (with a majority of 16,000 in the last election) but he is stepping down.

"Swansea is a city which has had a massive regeneration over recent years and there are a lot of new issues."

Friend and fellow councillor, John Ireland said: "I think it's absolutely wonderful that she has been selected for the list of Conservative candidates in the first place and then chosen as the one.

"If she wins you will see her go places."