LIBERAL Democrats in West Devon and Torridge have started the process to find a successor to John Burnett as standard bearer at the next general election.
The latest edition of the party?s national journal, Liberal Democrat News, invites applications to fight the seat, which has a majority of just under 1,200 over the Conservatives.
The post is expected to attract a good number of applicants before the closing date in two weeks? time.
A committee of local Liberal Democrats will sift through the applications and draw up a shortlist which could be up to six-strong.
The would-be candidates will then speak and answer questions at a series of ?hustings? in the constituency. These will take place at Bideford, Okehampton and Tavistock.
Party members will then vote by the Liberal Democrats? favoured ?Single Transferable Vote? until they have selected the man or woman who will contest the seat at the next election.
It is expected the name of the prospective Liberal Democrat candidate will be announced on Sunday October 5.
Mr Burnett, 57, won West Devon and Torridge at the 1997 general election and held it four years later.
He announced in May that he would not stand again at the next general election.