IAIN Wright was selected last night as Labour's candidate to fight the forthcoming Hartlepool by-election.

The 32-year-old local councillor won an emphatic victory over his two rivals - gaining more than 78 per cent of the Hartlepool Constituency Labour Party vote.

Afterwards, in a thinly-disguised dig at Europe-bound Peter Mandelson, he said: "I want to be Hartlepool's voice in London and not London's voice in Hartlepool.

"I am extremely proud and honoured. This is my town, I was born here, I am bringing my children up here and I'm going to win this election for Labour."

Mr Wright defeated Lee Vasey, from Darlington, and Phil Graham, who lives in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, in the vote at Hartlepool Civic Centre.

He represents the Rift House Ward, where he lives with wife Tiffiny and their three children.

Mr Wright is a chartered accountant and works for the regional development agency One NorthEast. He is a member of the GMB trade union and of Labour North's regional board.

Last Thursday, the Liberal Democrats chose barrister Jodi Dunn, 35, from Gainford, near Darlington, as their candidate.

The Conservatives and the UK Independence Party are expected to announce their candidates next week.

The election is likely to be held in late October or early November.