FIVE candidates are vying to become East Lothian's next MP when the county goes to the polls on Thursday, December 12.

The deadline for nominations for next month's General Election closed across the UK on November 14 at 4pm, and in East Lothian there are five candidates in the running for the seat.

Sitting MP Martin Whitfield (Labour) is joined in the race by Haddington and Lammermuir ward councillor Craig Hoy (Conservative), former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill (SNP), Robert O'Riordan (Liberal Democrats) and David Sisson (UKIP).

The election takes place on Thursday, December 12.

Mr Whitfield, who prior to being elected MP was a teacher at Prestonpans Primary School and chair of Prestonpans Community Council, unseated the SNP's George Kerevan in the snap General Election in 2017.

Mr Hoy, who started his career in journalism and worked for organisations including the BBC and Holyrood Magazine before setting up his own events and intelligence business in Hong Kong, won a by-election in May to be elected to East Lothian Council.

Mr MacAskill was an MSP between 1999 and 2016 – including representing Musselburgh as part of the Edinburgh East and Musselburgh seat between 2007 and 2011 – and was Justice Secretary in the Scottish Government between 2007 and 2014.

Mr O'Riordan is the Liberal Democrats' East Lothian convenor. He retired from a 35-year career in investment four years ago.

Mr Sisson previously stood for UKIP in the Haddington and Lammermuir ward by-election earlier this year, which was won by Mr Hoy. He has worked for several major companies including Dixon’s Group and PricewaterhouseCoopers, and a few other SME enterprises.