A SERVING county councillor has been selected as the Labour Party’s prospective parliamentary candidate for North-West Durham.

Laura Pidcock was chosen on Thursday, as former Shadow Education Minister, Pat Glass, decided she would step down at the next General Election.

Ms Pidcock, 29, who lives in Cramlington, has represented the town on Northumberland County Council for the last four years.

A dedicated socialist, she studied politics at Manchester Metropolitan University, before working for the education team with Show Racism the Red Card.

Ms Pidcock said: “I am about putting residents first, will be a good constituency MP and want to elevate the profile of the region.

“I will be vociferous in campaigning against the Conservative cuts and the impact they have had on this area. It is up to MPs in the region to stand up against the economic incredibility of the Tories.”

In Gateshead, Councillor Liz Twist has been chosen as the parliamentary candidate for the Blaydon constituency, where Shadow Scotland Northern Ireland Secretary Dave Anderson is standing down.