An American-born concert pianist will be hoping to hit the right notes for the Liberal Democrats after being chosen to contest a Bucks Parliamentary seat for the party.

Members voted in favour of selecting Kirsten Johnson as their candidate to fight for the Chesham and Amersham seat in this year's General Election at a meeting at Chesham Town Hall on Friday, January 30.

The mother-of-three, who lives in Oxford, moved to the UK from Virginia in 1994. An internationally renowned classical pianist, she has recorded thirteen albums and her music is played on radio stations around the world.

Dr Johnson said: "I entered politics as a Liberal Democrat to campaign for a fairer, more just society for all, where each person can pursue their own dreams without discrimination or favouritism. Key issues for me are mental health, the environment, education and caring for older people."

She will stand against incumbent Conservative MP Cheryl Gillan, Ben Davies of the Labour Party, the Greens' Gill Walker and Alan Stevens of UKIP.

The Liberal Democrats' 2010 candidate, Tim Starkey, finished second in the last election after polling 28.5 per cent of the vote.

Peter Jones, the party's group leader on Chiltern District Council, said: "The first ever woman to take her seat in the UK parliament, Nancy Astor, was also born in the USA. Kirsten would be an excellent MP for our area."