As someone who has grown up in Cookley and attended the local village school and also Wolverley High School, I am pleased to have been selected as the Conservative candidate for the ward.

Being involved in a family business in the village, I am only too aware of the issues affecting the local community.

I am very concerned how this Government is treating rural and village life, and especially the closure of post offices.

I am delighted with the Conservatives' recent council budget amendment which has seen more money being passed over by the district council to parish councils, like Cookley and Wolverley who benefit from £3,060 to help them provide for their local needs.

I also welcome our manifesto commitment to a fairer concessionary travel scheme, which saw an increase in funds of £20,000 thanks to the Conservatives budget, to enable the elderly to apply for funds where public transport is not readily available.