BARROW and Furness Labour Party has unveiled its candidate to fight the Dalton South by-election which will be held on May 5.

Daltonian Shaun Blezard will contest the seat made vacant by the death in January of Cllr Bill Bleasdale who represented the Conservatives on Barrow Borough Council.

Last night Labour party members were campaigning in the ward alongside Mr Blezard, who faces competition from Conservative candidate Des English and Dick Young for Ukip.

Labour councillor Brendan Sweeney, who is running Mr Blezard’s campaign, said: “Shaun defeated some capable candidates to secure his selection for this by-election and he is determined to re-gain the seat for Labour and to make a difference for the residents of Dalton South.

“This is a strong community whose residents look out for one another, but we know there are issues including parking problems, potholes in the roads and noise concerns.”

“Mr Blezard said: “I have lived in Dalton for 12 of the last 17 years and love the town. There is a real sense of community here and if elected I will work extremely hard to represent the ward.