DESPITE just voting Redditch residents are being urged to do it all over again, in less than a month.

This time though it will be to elect an MP to represent Redditch and its people in the House of Commons.

Out-going Conservative MP Karen Lumley recently confirmed she would not re-stand due to severe health problems.

Candidates that have thrown their hat into the ring, at the time of going to press, include former Redditch councillor Labour's Rebecca Blake, who stood for MP against Karen Lumley in the 2015 General Election.

Ms Blake said "I've lived here my whole life and I know the Redditch constituency is still getting a raw deal under this Conservative government and it must not go on. We have seen enough devastation regarding cuts at the Alex. Local schools have suffered wholesale disruption and a lack of support.

"Redditch is over-looked time and time again and it needs a strong voice."

Peter Jewell was duly elected as the UKIP candidate for Redditch but had to stand down, so the candidate is Redditch councillor Paul Swansborough.

Mr Swansborough said: "I am delighted and honoured to be able to represent UKIP in the Parliamentary election in Redditch. Peter’s role in the party is very essential and he is simply running out of hours in the day. I certainly will be calling on his knowledge and experience."

Rachel Maclean has been chosen as the Conservative candidate for Redditch following Mrs Lumley’s decision to stand down.

A candidate for Birmingham Northfield at the last General Election, Ms Maclean is a technology entrepreneur who has built two businesses in Birmingham.

Ms Maclean said: "It is a privilege to be selected as the Conservative candidate for Redditch.

"I will be a fighter for every community in the constituency, working tirelessly and following in the footsteps of Karen who has given so much for Redditch in the last seven years.

"I particularly want to use my business experience to support jobs and opportunities locally, especially for our younger residents who all deserve the best possible opportunities in life.

"I will also work hard to get the investment we deserve in our public services, for example boosting our local health services."

The Redditch Green Party has announced campaigner Kevin White will be the group's candidate.

He stood in the previous two General Elections, in 2015 gaining 2.2 per cent of the vote.

He said: “I offer people the chance to vote for what they believe in: a society that is organised in a way more equal and fairer and above all more sustainable than the one we have now.

“Every Green vote counts as it is a vote for placing the environment and the threat of climate change at the centre of our politics, and for standing up for better funded public services and for social justice.”

For nearly 20 years Kevin has been an active campaigner on many issues, including environmental and animal protection campaigns.

Susan Juned, who has lived in the nearby town of Alcester for 30 years, has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate.

She has recently retired from working as an environmental consultant and researcher at Birmingham University.

Susan represented Alcester on Warwickshire County Council for 12 years and was also a district councillor until 2014.

Mrs Juned said: "I believe it is very important to make the case against a hard Brexit, which would damage the British economy and the livelihoods of people in Redditch.

"I will also strongly defend Redditch’s hospital. It is essential that we keep existing services at the Alexandra Hospital and fight for the restoration of maternity and children’s services."

Health campaigner Neal Stote will be standing for The National Health Action Party (NHA).

Mr Stote has campaigned for the Alexandra Hospital, forming the now-defunct Save The Alex campaign group and more recently joining It’s Our NHS Worcestershire.

Mr Stote, who has lived in the town for 22 years, worked as a landscape officer and children's environmental education officer.

He has set up a crowdfunding page asking residents to help him get £12,000 to support his campaign costs.

A general election is set to take place on June 8.

Prime Minister Theresa May outlined plans for the shock summer poll in April, saying she needed to "make a success of Brexit" by going to the country.

It means voters across Redditch - and the rest of Britain - face a second General Election in just three years.