THE LibDems are determined to hold on to seats on two councils currently vacant following the death of Cllr Alan Wedderkopp.

At a memorial event to Cllr Wedderkopp in St George's Hall, Taunton, on Friday, the group announced the candidates they are putting forward for his seats on the county and district councils.

Dawn Johnson, who recently won a by-election to represent Trull, Pitminster and Corfe on Somerset West and Taunton Council, is standing for the Somerset County Council division of Comeytrowe and Trull.

Cllr Johnson moved to the Staplehay area 22 years ago after a career in television in London.

Having volunteered in many capacities in Trull and Staplehay, she is also a Trull parish councillor and facilitates for mental health charity WATCH in Chard.

Somerset County Gazette:

Dawn Johnson.

Speaking after her selection by local party members, she said: "Alan’s record of hard work for local people was a record second to none.

"He was hugely supportive of me putting myself forward for election and I hope I can serve our community with the same spirit of dedication and hard work that he exemplified.

"I am currently tackling the impact of the Orchard Grove development on our local communities, speeding on our roads, supporting the protection of the Trull Weir and Leat and working on the recently set up Canonsgrove Liaison group."

Tom Deakin, a digital consultant who leads digital projects for a number of household global brands, is a local resident since moving from Exeter and is standing for the vacancy for a Wilton and Sherford Ward councillor on Somerset West and Taunton Council.

Mr Deakin, who lives in Wilton and Sherford, said: "I’m honoured to have been selected to stand in this election for the LibDems and I look forward to meeting as many local residents as possible over the coming weeks.

Somerset County Gazette:

Tom Deakin.

"It is clear that Alan worked tirelessly for our area and if elected I will continue to stand up for local people raising the challenges facing our community.”

Danny Wedderkopp, Alan’s son, who joined Josh and Sophie Wedderkopp in hosting the memorial event and who is a LibDem district councillor for Vivary, said: “It was my Dad’s beliefs in people sharing basic rights, living together in peace and in safeguarding the balance of nature and the environment – traditional Liberal values - which drove him and made him a LibDem.

"He always wanted to see people like Dawn and Tom who have the same passion and energy, taking the baton forward."