VOTERS in the new Central Devon constituency will be able to interview the Liberal Democrat's prospective candidate face to face and online, prior to the forthcoming general election.

Freelance senior social worker Phil Hutty, 44, has been selected to fight the seat after the withdrawal last year of Sally Morgan, the Bovey Tracey councillor who fell out with her party about the level of support it offered to working mothers.

Mr Hutty, originally from Plymouth and now living near Launceston, is married with a teenage son and describes himself as 'a lapsed Catholic'.

He unsuccessfully fought the South West Devon seat in 2001 and supported Colin Breed in his successful challenge of the South East Cornwall seat at the last election.

He said he intended to introduce himself via a number of 'big interviews' at venues across the constituency, which covers Okehampton, Chagford, Buckfastleigh, Ashburton, Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh and Exminster.

He is also planning a live online session.

'I think it's important that electors choose their MP and should be able to quiz them as though it were a job interview with me not knowing what the questions are,' he said.

Placing himself left of centre, and having considered joining the Labour Party in 1997, he said it was time to re-distribute wealth.

With only 15 weeks at most until voting day, he said he intended to concentrate on topics such as rural transport, affordable housing and NHS dentistry.

All three, he said, were in need of subsidies, the money coming from higher taxes on those earning £100,000 or more.

'It's time for those to have done well under this government to dig a little deeper into their pockets.

'We have a society that has its costs so we have to think about the needs of others,' he said.

He is also keen to see Devon schools better funded — the county is third lowest nationally.

'Tell me why a Devon child is expected to be taught on the cheap? Doesn't the government think our kids are worth investing in?' he said.

Mr Hutty's main rival is likely to be the Conservative's Mel Stride, who has established himself in the area with a number of community campaigns.

Mr Hutty claimed not to be fazed by the challenge, even though his own party has conceded that the Tories are the mathematical favourites.

'I am in no doubt, I will be the MP,' he said.