LAUNCESTON businesswomen Gemma Massey has been selected as Liberal Democrat candidate for the upcoming Cornwall Council Launceston Central by-election.

Mrs Massey, 31, is a member of Launceston Chamber of Commerce and lives on Race Hill with her husband and young daughter.

She runs her own business, organising networking and training for local businesses, and helps to run the ‘Love Launceston’ loyalty card scheme.

Speaking of her selection on Monday she said: “I’m thrilled to have been selected as the Lib Dem candidate for Launceston Central. Local Lib Dem councillors like Adam Paynter and Jade Farrington have an excellent track record of standing up for the town. Like them, I wish to fight for Launceston.”

Liberal Democrat Adam Paynter, Cornwall Councillor for Launceston North, said he has known Mrs Massey for a long time and believed she would make ‘an excellent councillor’.

Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Launceston South Jade Farrington said Mrs Massey had done ‘excellent work’ in the local business community.

The Launceston Central Cornwall Council by-election will take place next month, when voters will also have the opportunity to elect three town councillors.

The Conservatives have selected a candidate to fight the Cornwall Council by-election — Val Bugden-Cawsey, who lives at St Stephen’s. She will also be standing for a town council seat.

The vacancy on Cornwall Council was caused by the resignation of Alex Folkes, who also resigned his town council seat. The other two town council vacancies were caused by the death of Graham Facks-Martin and the resignation of Ashley Crapp.

The Cornwall Council by-election and the town council by-elections will take place on Thursday, January 14.

Members of the public have until midnight on Wednesday, December 23 to register to vote in the by-elections.