Phil Wilson has been selected as the Labour candidate to fight the Sedgefield by-election on July 19.

His victory in the hustings at Trimdon Labour Club was announced at 10.15pm. He will be seen as a Blairite candidate having worked with Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister and Sedgefield MP, since 1983.

A few minutes earlier, the Liberal Democrats announced that Greg Stone, the Newcastle City councillor, will be their candidate. He was chosen at a hustings in Darlington.

Other declared candidates: Graham Robb (Conservative), Toby Horton (UK Independence Party) and Paul Gittins (Independent).