A FORMER special advisor to Peter Mandelson is to put his name forward in the race to be the Labour candidate in the Hartlepool by-election, The Northern Echo can reveal.

The move comes only 24 hours after the Liberal Democrats announced that their candidate for the high profile by-election would be barrister Jody Dunn.

Last night, a senior Labour source confirmed that Patrick Diamond would ask to be chosen to defend Mr Mandelson's 14,571 majority.

But if he is selected as the candidate by the local Labour Party next Friday, he may not win the approval of Hartlepool people as easily.

The source said: "A Downing Street insider may have great support in the local Labour Party but he certainly hasn't got it in the local community."

Mr Diamond was a special advisor to Peter Mandelson, when he was Northern Ireland Secretary.

All names for the by-election have to be put forward by Tuesday so Labour's National Executive Committee can draw up a shortlist from which local members will select the candidate on Friday.

Those who have ruled themselves out of the running include Mr Mandelson's agent, Steve Wallace, and former Hartlepool Borough Council chairman Carl Richardson.

Former Euro MP David Bowe and Robbie Payne, who has been a councillor for seven years, are so far the only two Labour members who have publicly said they will apply.

The by-election is expected to be held in October or early November.

It is understood that Mr Diamond will confirm his position on Monday.

Keith Fisher, former president of the Hartlepool constituency Labour Party, said: "Twelve years ago we were faced with the choice of having a high-profile man, ie Mandelson, or a local man - and in my opinion we made the wrong decision.

"I would hope that they wouldn't make the same mistake again, but you cannot be too sure."