The SNP have this week selected Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Mike Russell MSP to fight the Argyll and Bute seat in the 2011 Holyrood elections.

Current SNP MSP Jim Mather is standing down at next year’s elections and Mr Russell is hoping to retain the seat in his home constituency.

Mr Russell said: “I am very excited to have been chosen by the Argyll and Bute SNP members to fight this seat at next May’s Holyrood election.

“Now to get the chance to contend for the honour of representing my friends and neighbours in this beautiful and diverse constituency is a dream come true and I will be working flat out to follow on from Jim Mather’s impressive victory in 2007.”