DURHAM'S Liberal Democrats are sticking with 2001 election candidate Carol Woods for the next contest.

She was chosen ahead of two other hopefuls at a meeting of the party in County Hall last week.

In the last election Ms Woods came second to the city's Labour MP Gerry Steinberg - the Tories were third - and achieved a 7.8 per cent swing from Labour whose majority dropped by 9,000 votes

Ms Woods, who lives in Sherburn Village and is general manager for CMA Microdialysis Ltd, said: "Liberal Democrats are the only opposition in Durham.

"It is widely thought that we will take control of the city council in May. This election will be a test of our support and I believe our success will lead the way for us to win the parliamentary seat at the next election."

Mr Steinberg, MP for 16 years, is standing down at the next election, which is likely to be in 2005 or 2006.