Liberal Democrats Parliamentary candidate Sarah Smith has been diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer.

The MP hopeful, who was selected in November 2013, has pledged she will continue to campaign for the Deal and Dover seat in the next general election in May, while she undergoes treatment.

She said: "The fact I am undergoing treatment makes no difference to my commitment to Dover and Deal."

"I still think I am the right person for the job of MP. I will still be campaigning for the issues I believe in, holding the Tories and Labour (who have done our area no favours) to account, and challenging UKIP propaganda."

She said her diagnosis came "out of the blue" about two weeks ago.

"I still think I am the right person for the job of MP" - Sarah Smith MP

"At the beginning of October, I suddenly got poorly. I have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the disease that killed my mum in 2012. Next week I will start chemotherapy and I will have surgery in the New Year.

"I am telling you about this because I want to be open about what is happening to me, and because my treatment will undoubtedly affect my campaign."

A press statement, released by the party on Monday said: "On Saturday the Liberal Democrats local party voted unanimously in favour of Smith’s continuing candidacy.

Anthony Hook, former Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate, said: "It's obvious to all of us that Sarah Smith is the best qualified person to be Dover and Deal's next MP.

"I am certain the whole community will wish her well with her cancer treatment. So many local people have faced the same situation. "

Mrs Smith, who lives in Chillenden, added: "It is going to be harder for me to get out to meet people on the doorstep, although I will do that as much as I can.

"I have always believed the best way to represent voters is to listen. So I hope people will get in touch and follow me on social media.

"My health issues are already giving me new insights into the impact ill health has on individuals and families and into the extraordinary blessing we have in the NHS.

"Within a week I went from being a fit, healthy woman, to someone with a potentially fatal disease.

"Ovarian cancer is called the ‘silent killer’ because it is practically symptomless until it has spread and then it is hard to treat successfully.

"Within a week I went from being a fit, healthy woman, to someone with a potentially fatal disease.

"I was lucky to get a swift diagnosis - that does not always happen.

"Most GPs will only encounter this disease once every 15 years. We must raise awareness because when caught early ovarian cancer can often be cured. I want to do all I can to help in this effort.

"Having shared this news, now I am determined to get on with being the best parliamentary candidate I can be, focused on the issues that matter to Dover & Deal, and giving the others a good run for their money," she added.