C OLONEL RONALD GARDNER-THORPE, an old boy the De La Salle

Brothers' College at Southsea, is to contest the West Derbyshire by-election for the Liberals.

The Liberals last contested the seat its 1950. At the General Election in 1959 the Conservatives held the seat with a majority of 8,109.

Col. Gardner-Thorpe. married with one son, is a former C.O. of the 5th Battalion, Buffs (T.A.). He contested Eastbourne for the Liberals in 1959.