A first-time Helensburgh councillor is to challenge the area's MP of eight years to represent the SNP at the next election.

Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess and Brendan O'Hara MP have been confirmed as candidates to be the SNP nominee.

They will compete for the new constituency of Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, replacing the current Argyll and Bute constituency.

Cllr Campbell-Sturgess, who was first elected in the 2022 local elections to represent Helensburgh and Lomond South, currently also works for Stuart McMillan, the SNP MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, and is a jewellery designer.

He also spent five years as a councillor in Inverclyde, representing the Inverclyde North ward from 2012 to 2017.

Mr O'Hara was first elected in the landslide SNP election in 2015 and has continued to win Argyll and Bute elections.

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The councillor told the Advertiser: "I’m only too aware of how many issues in our region can be laid at Westminster’s door.

"Our area needs a strong MP in touch with the community, able to stand up for them and raise these issues - issues that in fact I already raise as a local councillor.

"Just last week I wrote to Ofcom about the switch to digital phone service - changes that could see residents without a way of contacting the emergency services in the event of power cuts.

"If selected as our candidate, I will raise these issues and many more, as we take the debate to the Tories and seek to keep this seat for the SNP.

"I wasn’t born here, but it is my home, and I want to be that local voice Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber needs.

"This election will be about independence. The present UK Government have ignored the democratic wishes of the Scottish people, and refused our government a referendum which the people have voted for.

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"Our region needs an MP who believes in independence, and is willing to fight for it.

"If I am selected, I will work with every sinew of my being to be that MP. I know that even becoming the SNP candidate is a difficult challenge, and retaining the seat will be a hard struggle, but I will meet that challenge head on - with optimism, hope and humility."

Mr O'Hara told the Advertiser: "I can confirm that I will be seeking the nomination to be the SNP’s candidate for the new seat of Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber at the forthcoming General Election.

"It has been an honour and a privilege for me to have represented the people of this constituency since 2015.

"As a democratic party, quite rightly, my re-selection is not a foregone conclusion and others may wish to put themselves forward for nomination as well.

"I am hopeful however that my track record of being a hard-working, accessible local representative, coupled to the high-profile role I have played as part of the SNP’s front bench team at Westminster over the past eight years, will encourage local party members to renew their faith in me."

The constituency association confirmed these are the only two candidates and said the challenge to an incumbent "demonstrates the democracy within the SNP".

There will be an in-person hustings in Oban and one on Zoom this Wednesday. Electronic voting for members starts Thursday.