Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate, Lloyd Hatton, has launched his bid to become MP for South Dorset.

Mr Hatton was out listening to constituents in Weymouth over the bank holiday weekend.

He and his team of campaigners have met with more than 1,000 constituents on their doorsteps in Radipole and nearby Southill - listening to local concerns ahead of the General Election on July 4. 

Mr Hatton, 28, previously divided his time between Weymouth and London where he has lived for the past four years and works as a researcher, however, he has now relocated to Weymouth as a full-time resident.

He remains a councillor in Camden, north London, representing Kilburn.

Born and raised in Weymouth, Mr Hatton went to local schools - Holy Trinity and All Saints - and grew up playing rugby at Weymouth RFC and working at the Marlboro fish and chip shop at weekends.

He is a former youth parliament member, which he said gave him a "taste for politics" at a young age.

Speaking to the Echo in 2013, then-17-year-old Mr Hatton said he may consider a career as a politician later in life but would like to try a job in the "real world first".

READ MORE: Newly elected county politician hopes to outline youth issues at next meeting

Mr Hatton said he will be offering a "fresh start" for South Dorset after "14 years of Conservative chaos and division." 

Kicking off his listening campaign over the weekend, Mr Hatton said: “It was lovely to spend the bank holiday weekend listening to constituents and to catch up with plenty of friends, family and neighbours along the way.

"I even managed to pop in for a quick cuppa with my grandmother on Monmouth Avenue between conversations. 

“I want to be a local champion who will stand up for our community and give South Dorset a strong voice in Westminster.

"This election is South Dorset's opportunity to deliver a fresh start. For 14 years, we have been let down by a chaotic Conservative Government and an invisible MP that have both failed to deliver."

Mr Hatton will be standing for Labour against current Conservative MP Richard Drax, Weymouth councillor Matt Bell for the Liberal Democrats and Catherine Bennett for the Green Party.