The Liberal Democrats have chosen Ian Swales to fight a Labour-held North-East seat in the next General Election.
The married father-of-three will stand as a candidate for the Redcar, east Cleveland seat, held by Labour MP Vera Baird.
The accountant, who has lived in the town for 25 years, was a manager at ICI before starting his own management training business.
"Redcar Liberal Democrats are delighted that Ian Swales has agreed to be our candidate at the next General Election.
"He would make an excellent MP for this area," said Chris Abbott leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.
Mr Swales has been a council candidate and is parliamentary spokesman for the local party. He was on the committee of Redcar swimming club for many years and is involved with the Get Redcar a Swimming Pool pressure group.
After his selection Mr Swales said: "As even Mo Mowlam said on TV recently, Labour have not delivered for the people of this area.
"The 2003 council election results in the Redcar constituency were very close between Labour and the Liberal Democrats and showed that people are ready for a change.
"I am offering a real alternative and will be emphasising our better policies on crime, the environment and council tax."
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