The Liberal Democrat candidate for Witney, Gareth Epps, is urging Labour voters to vote for him at the General Election to defeat the Conservatives.

Mr Epps, pictured left, said: "People in our area are saying to me it's clearly the Liberal Democrats who are challenging the Tories.

"We have Labour supporters switching to us in droves - not just because we now offer the sort of radical and honest policies they thought Tony Blair could give them - but also because they know we are becoming a real campaigning force."

At the last election Shaun Woodward was voted in for the Conservatives. He defected to Labour 18 months ago and has been selected to fight the safe Labour seat of St Helens South.

Meanwhile, Witney's Conservative candidate, David Cameron, is holding a series of public meetings in the area.

He will be at Warwick Hall, Burford, tonight,May 25, Chipping Norton Town Hall next Wednesday (May 30); Carterton Community College next Friday (June 1); Langdale Hall, Witney, on June 4; and Milton-under-Wychwood Village Hall on June 6. All start at 7pm

For more election news see Elections 2001