FORMER Secretary of State for Wales Ron Davies has been selected as Plaid Cymru’s candidate for a Caerphilly council by-election.

The Caerphilly County Borough Council ward seat for Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen became vacant following the death of peace campaigner and Labour stalwart Ray Davies earlier this year. The by-election will be held on Thursday, September 3.

Lisa Jones has been selected as the Labour representative to try and hold on to the seat, and has already been backed by her colleagues including Caerphilly MP Wayne David.

Ron Davies, a former Secretary of State for Wales and himself a Caerphilly MP and AM, served as a cabinet member in the last Plaid administration on the council before losing the seat in the 2012 local elections.

Machen-born Mr Davies led the campaign to create the National Assembly for Wales, which was established in 1999, as a prominent Labour Party member. He joined Plaid around five years ago after years as an independent.

He was first elected as a councillor in 1969 to the former Machen Urban District Council at the age of 23 and a year later he became the youngest council leader in Britain at the age of just 24.

Mr Davies said: "Local government is a minefield of obstacles to most people and this will get worse if the Labour party does away with Caerphilly county and merges it into Wales’ largest council of new ‘Gwent’.

"I will fight these plans and fight to keep government as close to the people, as possible.

"I will ensure that I am accessible and available in the ward and use my strength and experience to stand up for ordinary people.”

The close of nominations for the by-election is not until 4pm next Thursday, August 6, by which time a full list of candidates will be announced.