AN MP’S press officer has been elected as the new chairman of the North West Durham Labour group.

At 32, Malcolm Clarke is one of the youngest constituency chairmen in the country.

Mr Clarke, who is the press officer and senior case officer for North West Durham MP Pat Glass, said: “I want our local Labour Party to continue to be an actively campaigning party, listening to the views of our residents, welcoming the increasing number of new members who are joining us and ensuring that as the European Elections of 2014 and the General Election of 2015 approach people receive our literature and meet our great candidates.

“We have a great team of dedicated activists and councillors and I am proud to have been elected by my colleagues as their new constituency Chairman."

Mr Clarke, who lives in Consett, has been a parish councilor in Lanchester and is a member of the Community Panel formed by Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg.

Outside of politics he is on the management committee at Consett FC and is a semi-professional pool player.