The Liberal Democrats have launched their campaign to win back Sutton and Cheam as a general election looms.

Hina Bokhari, currently a Merton councillor, has been chosen as the party's candidate.

During a 20 year teaching career, Cllr Bokhari has worked in schools in Sutton and also started an educational charity to provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

Commenting, Hina Bokhari said: “I am delighted to become the Liberal Democrat candidate to win back Sutton & Cheam constituency, and we had a fantastic launch for our campaign on Sutton High Street, with so many members of the public joining in.

"Our area has been let down by an invisible Tory MP who repeatedly backs cuts to our local services.

"I will be campaigning on key issues that local residents have raised with me, such as Tory Government cuts to our schools, policing and council services.

"People across Sutton, Cheam and Worcester Park deserve someone who will be their champion and I look forward to leading the fight to become the Liberal Democrat MP they deserve.”

Her campaign launch on Sutton high street was led by the party’s deputy leader Sir Ed Davey MP, along with Sutton & Cheam’s former Lib Dem MP Paul Burstow, and neighbouring MP Tom Brake.

As a councillor, Hina has campaigned to "fight police station closures, oppose Tory cuts to school funding, and give the public a final say on any Brexit deal."

Sutton & Cheam was a Liberal Democrat-held seat from 1997 to 2015, represented by former health minister Paul Burstow, until it was won by Conservative MP Paul Scully.