LEIGH veteran Labour councillor Brian Jarvis has accepted pleas by party members to enter the race to become the next member of parliament for the town. The Leigh East councillor this week threw his hat in the ring for the Labour parliamentary stronghold held by Lawrence Cunliffe who is stepping down following treatment for a lung complaint. Cllr Jarvis, considered to be the favourite among Labour party activists, said that he had been "overwhelmed" by the amount of people urging him to stand. He said: "It is a big decision but I have offered myself as the candidate and it's now up to the Labour Party Leigh constituency members to make the choice."

A former trade-union convenor, Cllr Javis had been supporting Mark Hale, the Hope Carr councillor, until Mr Hale was barred from the contest by Labour Party national chiefs.

He is considered the natural replacement for Cllr Hale by party activists.

The 58-year-old is one of at least 50 candidates who were also due to put their name forward.

Leigh is considered a "safe" Labour seat which Mr Cunliffe has held for 20 years -- the last time with a 24,492 majority.

The Labour selection process begins today

Following nominations from local branches, affiliated trade unions and the Co-op Party, a shortlist of around six candidates will then be drawn up by the end of January.

The 350 eligible members of the Leigh CLP will then be invited to vote for the official Labour candidate at a meeting at Leigh Labour Club on February 27 ready for the next general election likely to take place in May.