NORTH Manor councillor James Daly has been selected to represent the Conservatives at the forthcoming Oldham West and Royton by-election.

Mr Daly, who is also deputy leader of the council's Conservative group, recently stood at the Bolton North East seat at the General Election and came second to Labour's David Crausby.

The Oldham West and Royton by-election has been triggered by the death of former MP Michael Meacher, who had represented the area since 1970.

The election will take place on December 3, and Mr Daly, a criminal solicitor and school governor, will face opposition from Labour candidate Jim McMahon, currently the leader of Oldham Council.

Mr Daly said: “I feel incredibly lucky to have been selected this evening. I intend to stand up for the hardworking people of Oldham West and Royton on the issues that matter to them, and I know how to fight to get their voices heard. I will campaign tirelessly as the Conservative candidate here.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Michael Meacher, a dedicated parliamentarian who worked hard for many years for his constituents. I hope to follow in the example he set.”

Other candidates confirmed to run include John Bickley for UKIP and Jane Brophy for the Liberal Democrats.