The founding editor of the National - and former Ayr Advertiser editor - Richard Walker has been nominated as SNP candidate for the Ayrshire Central seat.

The seat will be vacated by the current SNP MP Dr Philippa Whitford at the next general election.

Troon man Mr Walker is best known as the man behind the Sunday Herald newspaper, backing the Yes campaign in 2014 when he was editor.

He later founded The National as the first SNP-leaning newspaper in Scotland and later became founding editor for the Sunday National.

In a Facebook post at the weekend, he said: "I am pleased and proud to announce my nomination as a potential Westminster candidate for Central Ayrshire.

"Over the next few days I will be setting out the reasons why I believe I’m the right candidate to represent the area I’m proud to call home.

"I was brought up in Troon and have lived all over the constituency - and still live in Troon.

"I am the founding editor of The National newspaper and The Sunday National newspaper and the editor who brought the Sunday Herald newspaper out for YES in 2014."

Mr Walker is also a former deputy editor of the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald and worked at the Scotsman and the Daily Record.

Dr Philippa Whitford, who defeated Labour's Brian Donohoe in the 2015 General Election and was re-elected as SNP MP in 2017 and 2019, announced her retirement earlier this year.

The next general election is widely expected to be held next year - and must be held by the end of January 2025.