THE leader of Preston Borough Council has been given a second chance to stand at the next elections after being deselected in his own ward just weeks ago.

Due to a series of boundary changes affecting the town's political wards, Fishwick ward has been made smaller, and will have only two councillors in future instead of the current three.

Coun Hall who has represented Fishwick since 1978, was not selected by his local Labour party branch to stand in the May elections as a candidate for one of these two places. But he has now been selected to stand for the neighbouring St Matthew's ward.

The vacancy arose after one of the ward's current councillors, Rose Kinsella, announced she is standing down because of ill health.

At a Labour party branch meeting on Monday, January 21, Coun Hall was selected to stand with fellow councillors Albert Richardson and Veronica Afrin as candidates for St Matthew's.

Coun Hall said: "I am delighted to have been selected. It does help overcome the disappointment that I had in Fishwick.

"One of the reasons I am happy is that I live quite close to the St Matthew's boundaries -- only two hundred yards away.

"I am over the moon, and I've just got to wait until May."

Coun Kinsella said: "With all his years of experience I am sure he will be an asset to the St Matthew's ward. I will be supporting him throughout.

"Ian has been a councillor for a long time and he knows the area well. But I will still be representing St Matthew's until May, and Ian Hall is still the councillor for Fishwick."