WORCESTER campaigner Mary Dhonau has passed the first hurdle in her bid to become a Liberal Democrat MP for the city.

But it could be February before she knows whether she has been chosen by local Lib Dems as the prospective parliamentary candidate for Worcester.

Mrs Dhonau has become well-known for her work to improve flooding safeguards, her opposition to the MMR vaccine and to the county council's special needs education review.

Now, the 46-year-old mother of five has passed what she described as an "arduous assessment" to get her name on to the list of prospective Liberal Democrat candidates.

"I could stand anywhere in the country, but I have applied to Worcester, because I feel very strongly that the person selected should be from the local area," she said.

"I know and love Worcester. I know the problems the local electorate is worried about and I believe the people of Worcester trust me."

The chairman of Worcester Liberal Democrats, Paul Griffiths, said Mrs Dhonau was not the only candidate and the choice would be made by party members.

"They have to be informed who the candidates are and given a chance to meet and quiz them, before they vote," he said.

"We had hoped to complete the process by the end of the year, but it now looks as though it could be the end of January, or the beginning of February."