BARBARA Keeley-Huggett believes she has the right qualities and experience to be the next Leigh MP. The 48-year-old is the latest political figure to throw her hat in the ring for the Labour nomination.

She is an executive councillor on Trafford Metro where she plays a lead role on health issues and community issues.

She is an adviser on economic and community regeneration, working on projects in Greater Manchester and across the North West. And she believes the combination of her experience in local government and her knowledge of community regeneration would be an asset to Leigh.

She said: "I think it is also useful for an MP to have worked in industry and I have worked with both commercial and industrial companies."

Previously Barbara has worked in the IT industry with IBM, most recently as a field systems engineering manager.

She added: "Currently I have a lead responsibility on the council to develop links with the NHS Agencies. We should keep trying new ways of contacting our local community to ensure that we are listening to and acting upon the views of the people." Barbara is married to Colin and lives in Sale. She was first elected in 1995. The Leigh Labour Party will choose a shortlist of an equal amount of men and women later this month before a meeting next month of Labour members in the constituency when the parliamentary candidate will be chosen.