A RETIRED National Health Service scientist entered the political arena after feeling frustrated that the nation's decision to leave the European Union was being ignored.

John Wolstenholme is standing as the Brexit Party general election candidate for the North West Durham constituency, in County Durham.

In his professional life, Dr Wolstenholme ran a large diagnostic laboratory in Newcastle for more than 20 years.

He was also an Honorary Lecturer at Newcastle University, and was invited to present his research work all over the world.

He is a voluntary Countryside Ranger, chairman of the Durham Community Association which is based in Shakespeare Hall, in Durham city, and volunteered at community interest company The Wood Pile, in Durham, which helps disadvantaged and disabled people into work.

Having lived in the North East for 30 years– in Framwellgate Moor and Rowlands Gill– he says he knows the region and constituency well.

He said: "Never having been a candidate for election before, I joined the Brexit Party because the majority decision to leave the EU was being ignored by a ‘remain’ Parliament.

"I am deeply concerned that this not only undermines the vote, but that it also threatens the whole principle of democracy in this country.

"I feel honoured to stand in North West Durham, where 55 per cent of people voted to leave the EU."

Dr Wolstenholme hopes to meet representatives from industry, retail, transport, farming and the NHS before polling day on December 12, as well talking to people in the street in order to understand their needs and concerns.

He said he welcomes the Brexit Party’s Contract with the People which 'pledges local investment in industry and infrastructure, defends the NHS and offers a new way forward once we leave the EU'.

The candidates standing in North West Durham are Richard Holden (Conservative), Stephen Lindsay (Independent), Michael Peacock (Liberal Democrat), Laura Pidcock (Labour), David Sewell (Green), Watts Stelling (Independent) and John Wolstenholme (Brexit Party).