The Liberal Democrats have announced their prospective Parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park and North Kingston at the 2015 general election.

Robin Meltzer will battle sitting Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith for the seat the Lib Dems lost at the 2010 election.

Mr Meltzer, 35, is a Cambridge graduate and former senior producer at the BBC. He lives in Kew with his civil partner.

He previously stood in Kensington at the 2010 election, where he finished third in a seat won comfortably by Conservative Malcolm Rifkind.

Mr Meltzer said: “I was already working in Richmond and Kingston back then [when he stood].

“I needed the experience, but this is the only area I’m interested in.

“I’m really delighted and looking forward to getting out there and campaigning all across the constituency.”

The Liberal Democrats lost Richmond Park when Mr Goldsmith narrowly defeated Susan Kramer almost three years ago.

It was the first time the party had lost the seat since the constituency was formed in 1997 and won by Jenny Tonge.

Mr Meltzer said: “It’s never nice to lose a seat, but there’s still a lot of goodwill for the work Susan and Jenny did in the past.

“I think we are in with a good chance, but the first big challenge is the 2014 local elections.

“We need to retain Kingston for the Lib Dems and take control of Richmond.

“We’re very excited and upbeat about what we’re going to do.”

Mr Meltzer said his true passion is education, and wanted to meet young people to discuss their futures.

He said: “I went to a comprehensive school and I won a place at Cambridge, and I feel everybody should be able to fulfil their potential.

“Even in an affluent area like ours, that doesn’t always happen for all the children.

“We need to make sure every young person fulfils their potential in whichever way is best for them.”

And like his Conservative rival, Mr Meltzer said he said he was backing the bid to turn the North Kingston Centre in Richmond Road in Kingston into a free school.

He said: “That will be a huge benefit to the community.”

The Labour Party has not named its candidate yet.