PLAID Cymru has selected Luke Nicholas, who grew up in Barry and lives in Grangetown, to contest the upcoming Cardiff South and Penarth by-election.

Mr Nicholas was a candidate and campaign organiser in the recent council elections in Grangetown where he helped increase the Plaid Cymru vote by around a third.

He is a trade unionist and is employed as a researcher at the National Assembly where he specialises in finance, transport and local government.

"In the recent local elections Plaid Cymru finished second across Cardiff South, and achieved our highest ever number of votes in Cardiff as a whole," said Luke.

"We even beat the Conservatives in some parts of Penarth. We are becoming a major political force here."

* Current MP Alun Michael is stepping down in order to stand in November's Police and Crime Commissioner election.