LIBERAL Democrats in Fareham are being forced to extend their search for a prospective parliamentary candidate because no applicants have come forward.

The party is looking for someone to fight Conservative Mark Hoban in the election, likely to be held next year.

Their last candidate was disgraced former borough councillor Hugh Pritchard, who was forced to resign from his position after admitting that he falsely claimed £1,200 in housing and council tax benefits.

Since his departure, the constituency has lacked a new Liberal Democrat candidate.

Now returning officer for Fareham Ken Cosslett has written to all councillors in the borough extending the deadline and widening the search for applicants.

He said: "Because we have had insufficient applicants and no female applicants I am having to extend the deadline for applications to the constituency.

"There will be no local applicants from the constituency and the candidate in the previous general election will not be standing again, so this selection is wide open. The Fareham constituency is next door to Eastleigh and close to Romsey, Winchester and Portsmouth South, all with Liberal Democrat MPs. It is a constituency well worth considering."

Fareham East member Councillor Katrina Trott, who is sitting on the panel to decide the applicant, says there has been some interest despite Fareham not being a priority area for the party.

"There's a couple of people interested and we've sent out applications packs to them. There are target seats and unfortunately Fareham isn't one of them," she said.

Cllr David Norris, member for Portchester East, added: "We will be putting a candidate up at the next general election and we have a panel in place that will select one. I think we are looking for a younger person that will be around for a while."