SKIPTON town councillor Brian McDaid is hoping to be selected by the Labour Party for a second time to be its candidate at this year's general election.

Mr McDaid, who lives in Gargrave, is one of it is believed just two candidates, including Chris Watt, from Starbeck, to have put their names forward for selection by the Skipton and Ripon Labour Party.

Candidates had until today (January 10) to put forward their names to stand against Conservative Julian Smith, who has held the seat since 2010.

In 2019, Mr McDaid finished runner-up to Mr Smith with 11,266 votes.

Mr McDaid, assistant general secretary for Aegis the Union, set up the community safety working group on Skipton Town Council and has been supported in his bid to be selected by John Grogan of Keighley Labour Party.

"It's essential that all representatives of UK Labour work together locally to strengthen our position as the party for change for our communities," said Mr McDaid.

On its website, the Skipton and Ripon Labour Party says: "The campaigning team are ready to do all we can to return a Labour MP for Skipton and Ripon at the next general election."

Following today's deadline, the applicants will be reviewed and a shortlist decided. If there is more than one name on the shortlist, the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate will be elected by members.