FACTFILE:

Full name: Den Dover.

DOB: 4/4/38.

Birthplace: Warrington.

Home: Countess Way, Euxton.

Family: Married, with one son and daughter.

Education: Manchester Grammar School, Manchester University - First Class honours degree in civil engineering.

Career: More than 20 years experience in the construction industry with Laing, Wimpey, National Building Agency chief executive, Greater London Council director of housing construction.

Political background: MP for Chorley since 1979. Member of Transport Select Committee for eight years and environment select committee for two years.

Favourite film: Casablanca.

Favourite music: Beethoven, Shirley Bassey and various hymns.

Favourite place: Lever Park and Rivington.

Favourite food: Fish, chips and mushy peas.

Favourite drink: Lime and lemonade with ice.

Favourite sport: Cricket.

Hobbies: Cricket, hockey and golf.

"JUDGE me on my record" is the message from Den Dover, who is looking for a fifth term in Parliament as the Conservative candidate for Chorley.

With a distinguished background as a fully-qualified civil engineer, Den believes he has the industrial know-how to take the town into the next Millennium.

"I have worked really hard for the past 18 years as a member of Parliament for Chorley," he states.

"Unemployment in Chorley is down by more than 40 per cent in the past five years. Our unemployment rate is four per cent compared to 11 per cent in the early 1980s.

"The 6,000 small businesses in this constituency are helping our local economy to grow. This is an excellent situation to be in."

Like most politicians nationally, Den believes health is a major issue: "I fought for and obtained our new £40m hospital which is dealing with more patients every month and bringing down waiting times.

"Already 500 new jobs have been created at Chorley Hospital and the local spending on health has increased from £15m a year to £50m."

Den clearly sees continuity as the best outcome for Chorley: "The choice for the people is whether they want to put at risk all that they have achieved. Voting for Labour would be a leap in the dark.

"We are the most competitive of all the countries in Europe with the strongest economy and the lowest unemployment.

"In this highly marginal seat every vote counts and I would ask people to think very carefully indeed before deciding which way to vote."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.