A FORMER councillor, Stan Wilson, has been chosen by the Liberal Democrats as their prospective parliamentary candidate for Redcar

Born in Middlesbrough, Mr Wilson grew up in Redcar.

Before retirement in 1989, he worked as a teacher and youth leader in Nunthorpe, South Bank and Guisborough, as well as earning a reputation locally as a cricketer, footballer, referee and umpire.

He served for 12 years as a Liberal Democrat councillor for Redcar's Newcomen ward, before fighting two parliamentary seats for the party.

Speaking at his selection meeting, Mr Wilson, who sits on the National Executive Committee of the Liberal Democrat Chard Group, said there would be no Liberal/Labour pact in Redcar "as the Labour council is one of the most unloved in the land and would not survive on Anne Robinson's Weakest Link programme."

He paid tribute to outgoing Labour MP, Mo Mowlam, and to Liberal Democrat councillors.