DESPITE being knocked down into third behind the winning Conservatives and UKIP in the general election in Ludlow Charlotte Barnes has been declared a winner.

The Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate and Shropshire Councillor Charlotte Barnes was given the ‘chin-up’ message by Lord Mike Storey.

A leading Lib Dem member of the House of Lords he has praised Charlotte Barnes as ‘A Winner!’

“In the General Election Charlotte scored twice the average vote for Liberal Democrat candidates,” he said.

“In fact, she was 26th highest out of 650. I very much look forward to meeting someone with her terrific record.”

Lord Storey visited Church Stretton and Bishop’s Castle last Friday (January 22) to hear of the concerns around local leisure centres and build up a broad view of the issues.

“It’s very nice of Mike and I am looking forward to meeting him and getting any advice he can offer for our rural sports centres,” said Charlotte Barnes.

“This really is not about politics, it is all about getting the matters sorted out. In our area we are blessed with energetic—indeed, fiercely energetic community activists of all persuasions and none. Working in the community, with the community is what counts.’

Charlotte Barnes said that one of her top priorities was supporting the campaign to ‘Save the SpArC Centre’.

“This is a fantastic facility. The money it saves in Care and Health budgets by helping physical and mental well-being is incalculable.”