LABOUR has selected a local teacher and councillor as its candidate to stand in the upcoming by-election in Runcorn and Helsby.

Cheshire West & Chester councillor Karen Shore will run after Mike Amesbury announced that he would stand down following his conviction for assault.

The Labour MP’s resignation will be a first by-election test for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Sir Keir said: “Karen Shore will be a champion for the people of Runcorn and Helsby.

“I look forward to her working hard with ministers if she is elected to deliver the local change that the area and our country deserve.”

Disability campaigner Emily Brothers, who had been considering running for the seat, discovered too late that the window had already closed.

She said that the process “wasn’t transparent” and such a “snap selection process” meant there wasn’t “equality of opportunity.”

A longlist of applicants was selected on Monday, with the shortlist decided on Wednesday. On Thursday evening a hustings was held between the shortlisted candidates.