A Northwich councillor has been chosen to fight the new Mid Cheshire seat for Labour at the next election.

Andrew Cooper, who represents Leftwich on Cheshire West and Chester Council and is also a Northwich town councillor, will stand as the party's candidate in the new parliamentary constituency.

It follows a hustings and vote of local Labour Party members on Saturday, with Cllr Cooper winning a majority of votes cast.

Mid Cheshire is a brand new seat which comes into existence following a redrawing of Parliamentary election boundaries. It includes Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich, Davenham, Greenbank, Hartford, Kingsmead, Moulton and Rudheath.

The current seat of Weaver Vale will cease to exist, with current MP Mike Amesbury having already been announced as Labour's candidate for the newly-created seat of Runcorn and Helsby.

Winsford has been taken out of the Eddisbury constituency - which will be renamed Chester South and Eddisbury, while Middlewich will be transferred from the Congleton ward. Both have previously been in wards which were Conservative strongholds, meaning Mid Cheshire will be a key battleground at the next election.

Cllr Cooper said: "It is such an honour to have been selected as the Parliamentary candidate for Mid Cheshire.

“Northwich is my home town, I am humbled and extremely proud to have been backed by so many Labour members, councillors and unions. It shows that we have the movement to win here in Mid Cheshire."

A Labour Party spokesperson added: "Andrew Cooper is an outstanding choice for Mid Cheshire.  He's lived and worked locally for the last 16 years and has two children in a local school."

"Andrew brings a wealth of experience having been a councillor in Northwich for the last ten years, and he knows the local issues inside and out.  He will deliver on the needs of everyone living in Mid Cheshire."