Inverclyde by-election candidates

The Inverclyde Westminster by-election will take place on 30 June, following the death of sitting Labour MP David Cairns.

Here is a look at the declared candidates so far.

Sophie Bridger - Liberal Democrats

Described as a "rising star" by her party, Sophie Bridger is currently national president of her party's youth wing - Scottish Liberal Youth.

The party hopes the 20-year-old will capture the young vote in the contest, as well as providing a "fresh, new voice" at Westminster.

Ms Bridger, who has also served as president of Glasgow University Liberal Democrats, previously stood for her party in the Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn seat at the Scottish Parliament election.

Iain McKenzie - Labour

Only a matter of months after becoming leader of Inverclyde Council, Iain McKenzie has been declared the man to defend the constituency for Labour.

As a former employee of one of the area's major employers, IBM in Greenock, Mr McKenzie says he has been working to secure high-quality jobs in the area.

He was first elected as a councillor in 2003 and took over leadership of the local authority in February, replacing Stephen McCabe.

Mr McCabe, who had been credited with bringing forward a schools refurbishment programme and a regeneration company, said he had made too many "personal sacrifices" as leader.

Anne McLaughlin - SNP

Born in Greenock and raised largely in Port Glasgow, local girl Anne McLaughlin came to prominence when she became an MSP for Glasgow in 2009, following the death of Bashir Ahmad

She served until the elections in May.

Ms McLaughlin studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and Glasgow University and worked as a fundraising manager for a cancer charity, inspired by being the daughter of a health visitor and a staff nurse.

In 2010, Ms McLaughlin took up the fight to save Florence Mhango and her 10-year-old daughter, Precious, from being deported from their Glasgow home to Malawi, where they claimed to be at risk of persecution.

Mitch Sorbie - UK Independence Party

Nightclub-owner Mitch Sorbie, who stood for his party in the West of Scotland in the Holyrood election, worked as an engineer before becoming a driving instructor.

He says his time as a Rank Xerox sales rep helped him get to know the Inverclyde area.

Mr Sorbie, who owns nightclubs in Cumbernauld and Kilmarnock, started up in business in 1994, winning "West Dunbartonshire Business of the Year" three years later.

David Wilson - Conservative

David Wilson, who has previously stood in Inverclyde, is currently deputy provost in the area.

As a councillor, he chairs the Inverclyde planning and licensing committees, as well as representing the local authority on a number of outside bodies.

The married father-of-two was born and grew up in Glasgow.

He has worked for companies including Rank Xerox, Unicom and Dow Jones Corp and is a former farmer.