A FORMER solider from Banbury was selected by Ukip to fight for David Cameron’s recently vacated seat in the Witney constituency.

Dickie Bird, who joined Ukip in 2009, will compete against 13 other candidates campaigning to take the seat in the by-election on Thursday, October 20.

The candidate, whose nomination was accepted yesterday morning, was the last to enter the race. The deadline to declare was yesterday at 4pm.

Mr Bird said: “I’m excited to have the opportunity to fight this seat on behalf of UKIP and local residents.

“I live in, and love, Oxfordshire. For 20 years I served in the army as part of Oxfordshire’s local regiment, The Royal Green Jackets, now called The Rifles.

“However, on leaving, I found the local council very unhelpful. This made me realise that in order to change things for people it is no good railing at the radio and TV and sitting back.

“Instead I felt that I had to get involved and do something to make things better.”

Mr Bird is up against candidates from the Conservatives, the Labour Party, the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats, as well as contenders from The Eccentric Party of Great Britain and The Official Monster Raving Loony Party.

The election was triggered on September 12 when sitting MP Mr Cameron tendered his resignation.

Witney is seen as a “safe” seat for the Conservatives and its selection was hotly contested locally.

“We need to do more to look after all those who have lived and paid tax here for years.

“I joined UKIP in 2009 and was a candidate for them soon after, they are the only Party standing up for our Country and fully behind all those who voted for Brexit.”

Diane James the UKIP leader and one of Oxfordshire’s local Euro MPs said,

“I am delighted to support Dickie Bird as the UKIP candidate in Witney. He is an Oxfordshire man, and someone who I know well and have worked closely with as a former Chairman of UKIP in Oxfordshire.

“Dickie is down to earth, a former soldier and an extremely hard worker. It’s about time the people of Witney were represented by a candidate who cares passionately about the place, and the constituency’s interests and the country’s future in a post Brexit world. Outward looking, experienced and with a record of service to this country.”