THE Liberal Democrats have announced their candidate for the newly created post of Dorset’s police commissioner.

He is Andy Canning, the mayor of Dorchester, who represents the town on Dorset County Council and West Dorset District Council.

Voters will go to the polls on November 15 to decide who will get the high-profile job.

Cllr Canning said: “It is a privilege to be selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Dorset Police and Crime Comm-issioner.”

“I have the experience of managing large budgets and will apply my financial background to make sure that the Police achieve value for money for Dorset’s taxpayers.

“I also believe I have the knowledge to be a strong voice for Dorset residents.”

He said his top priority would be keeping young people out of crime.

“Yes, we need to catch criminals and, yes, we need to punish them, but I believe it’s so much better if we can stop people from ever getting into crime in the first place,” he said.

The Conservatives have announced as their candidate Nick King , who represents Littledown ward on Bournemouth Borough Council .

Labour has picked Rachel Rogers, who represents Littlemoor on Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Former detective chief inspector Martyn Underhill has put himself forward as an independent candidate.

The government says that police and crime commissioners will be important figures in the world of policing and will hold chief constables to account for the performance of the police force.

Elections will be held under the supplementary vote system, which asks voters to list their first and second preferences for the role.