The Labour Party has selected its parliamentary candidate for the new Wells and Mendip Hills constituency.

Joe Joseph, a local councillor from the St Cuthbert Out area, has been chosen to represent the Labour and Co-operative parties.

Joe, from Glastonbury, tends a flock of rare breed Portland sheep and has served as a Squadron Leader in the RAF. He also teaches countryside and environmental management, alongside his duties as a parish councillor.

Asked about his co-operative style of politics, Joe said: "As a Labour and Co-operative candidate, I may not be the obvious challenger here, but we are certainly offering a fresh and sensible alternative. I stand for sovereignty over our food and farming, fair trade, and a right to healthy affordable food. I will safeguard standards in public life, restoring honesty and integrity. I want to achieve a co-operative green economy, in which wealth and power are shared fairly. Let's build on the pride we have in our communities, end rural poverty, and get the countryside working again."

He is standing against Helen Hims (Reform UK), Abi McGuire (independent), Tessa Munt (Liberal Democrats) and Peter Welsh (Green Party). The Conservatives have not yet selected their candidate.