A LEADING long serving politician who was deselected by his party has been chosen to fight another ward.

Two other Labour councillors are retiring to make way for new Asian and younger candidates in next May's local elections.

Michael Kilcoyne will go head to head with Liberal Democrat Councillor Bob Ronson -- who is expected to be officially reselected -- for Horwich ward after being dropped by the Labour party at his Halliwell seat.

He said: "There was a disappointment when I was deselected for Halliwell ward but I am now delighted to be selected in my home town."

John Noble, who represents Central ward, and Gerald Riley, of Derby ward, are retiring.

Cllr Noble, who served one term said: "Really I would like to stay on for another couple of years but you do not know what life turns up next. My health has not been too good.

"One of the reasons for standing down was so we can get an Asian representative because I felt they needed representing. Around 30 per cent of the ward's population is Asian."

Cllr Riley, aged 72, who has been a local politician since 1972, says he felt it was time for new blood.

Another long-serving councillor of more than 10 years, Pauline Spencer has been rejected for her Kearsley seat and is being forced to step down.

Cllr Spencer said she was upset that she has not been chosen for another term by the local Labour party.

"It has been a long time and I know that I have been a good councillor, but it is down to the branch," she said.

"It is all over for this year but I am not sure at the moment what my plans are for next time."

Farnworth councillor Peter Johnson, who has served for 25 years, was also deselected by the local Labour party. He said he was "puzzled, disappointed and angry" about the decision and would be considering his options for the future.

Also standing down in May is Blackrod councillor John Monaghan (Labour) and Conservative councillor for Bradshaw Anthony Osborn. Cllr Osborn, aged 72, who has represented the town for eight years, said he also wanted to make way for someone younger.

All the other existing councillors -- on the election system where a third of the council retires in three years out of every four -- will be defending their seats. An official list of all candidates is expected to be released early new year.