A leading Teignbridge Liberal Democrat has changed his colours and is backing the Conservatives at the next general election.

Richard Copus – a Lib Dem for 25 years – has stood as a parliamentary candidate, in Plymouth in l997 and in Exeter in 2001. The latter was a fight against Labour's Ben Bradshaw.

Now Mr Copus, of Holne, has put his weight behind the campaign for the new Central Devon constituency being fought by Tory parliamentary candidate Mel Stride.

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