THE cousin of the late Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has been unveiled as one of the party's Helensburgh and Lomond candidates at this May's Argyll and Bute Council elections.

Paul Kennedy, currently a maths teacher in Glasgow, will stand for the party in the Lomond North ward at the May 4 poll.

Mr Kennedy is one of five Liberal Democrat candidates standing across the Helensburgh and Lomond area as the party aims to boost its representation in the council chamber in Lochgilphead.

Currently working as a maths teacher in Glasgow, Mr Kennedy previously spent 30 years in the police.

His late cousin Charles served as leader of the Liberal Democrats from 1999 until 2006, and was an MP from 1983 until 2015, latterly representing the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency.

The party is also fielding two candidates in each of the two Helensburgh council wards.

In Helensburgh Central, sitting councillor Aileen Morton will be joined on the ballot paper by new candidate Graham Hardie.

Mr Hardie is a published poet who also writes reviews for the London Grip online cultural magazine, and is a member of the pastoral care team at Helensburgh Parish Church.

In Helensburgh and Lomond South, current Lib Dem councillor Ellen Morton is aiming to continue a term of office which stretches back almost 18 years.

Also on the Helensburgh and Lomond South ballot paper will be Jacqueline Davis from Cardross, who has practised complementary therapies for many years and is well-known locally for her cake-decorating skills.

Chair of the Dumbarton Liberal Democrats, Aileen Morton, said: "We're really pleased to field such a strong group of candidates for the election in May.

“I think everyone would have to agree that the team brings together a great mix of different experiences and backgrounds and together they would do an outstanding job representing the whole area.

"Helensburgh and Lomond has a long tradition now of Lib Dem councillors who work really hard for their local communities - from Moyra Stewart, who was first elected in Helensburgh over 20 years ago, to the present day. I'm hoping to see our whole team elected this May - that's certainly what we're aiming for."

The Scottish Conservatives have already unveiled their three Helensburgh and Lomond candidates for May's election, in which sitting councillors David Kinniburgh (Helensburgh and Lomond South) and Gary Mulvaney (Helensburgh Central) will be joined by Kilcreggan resident Barbara Morgan, who is contesting the Lomond North ward and is hoping to succeed her party colleague Maurice Corry, who was elected to the Scottish Parliament as an MSP for the West of Scotland last year.

Labour and the SNP have yet to announce the names of their candidates for the three local wards.

Nomination packs for anyone interested in standing as a councillor in May will be available from Argyll and Bute Council from Monday, March 13.

The deadline for nominations is 4pm on Wednesday, March 29.

A Candidates' Guide is also available at the council's website (www.argyll-bute.gov.uk).