Government chief whip Hilary Armstrong faces a three-pronged challenge for her North-West Durham seat at next month's General Election.

The long serving MP, whose constituency includes parts of the Wear Valley and Derwentside districts, is opposed by Conservative Jamie Devlin, Liberal Democrat Alan Ord and Independent Watts Stelling, a Derwentside councillor.

In Bishop Auckland, Labour's Helen Goodman is hoping to succeed Derek Foster, who is stepping down after 27 years.

Margaret Hopson, of Witton Park, was a last-minute nominee for the UK Independence Party on Monday, despite polling only 16 votes in March's district council election for the Bishop Auckland Town ward.

Wear Valley councillor Chris Foote Wood is standing for the Liberal Democrats, while the Conservative's choice is Teesdale councillor Richard Bell.

These were the candidates as the Wear Valley Advertiser went to press on Tuesday.