Onchan MHK and leader of the Liberal Vannin party Peter Karran has formally announced he is to defend his seat in September's general election.

Mr Karran has represented Onchan, which has three MHKs, for the past 26 years.

At the last election in 2006, when he stood for the newly-formed Liberal Vannin party, Mr Karran topped the polls.

He is currently the party's only member in the House of Keys and is an outspoken critic of the Council of Ministers.

Mr Karran has described Liberal Vannin as 'a very credible and mature party', which has come a long way in the past five years.

His declaration statement confirms a second Lib Van candidate will also stand for election in Onchan.

A selection panel will decide who in the next few weeks.