Bishop Auckland Liberal Democrats have selected Chris Foote Wood as their prospective parliamentary candidate for the next general election.

Mr Foote Wood is group leader on the Wear Valley District Council and is president of the Northern Region Liberal Democrats.

He was approved unanimously at a special meeting of the local constituency party.

Constituency chairman Betty Todd said: "Our members have confidence in Chris, with his great experience, and we are confident of a great result."

Mr Foote Wood said: "Bishop Auckland is regarded as a Labour stronghold, but every election throws up a shock result and this could be one of them.

"Our party is in the strongest position it has been in for decades and we are confident of increasing both our national vote and our number of parliamentary seats at the next General Election."

Mr Foote Wood, who is married with three grown-up children, has previously fought five general elections at Newcastle North, Middlesbrough, Durham City and twice at North West Durham.

He has also stood three times for the European Parliament and narrowly missed being elected as one of the North-East's four MEPs in last years elections.

In the General Election, he will be battling against veteran Labour MP Derek Foster, who has held the Bishop Auckland seat for 21 years