A COUNCIL chief has been chosen as the Labour Party candidate for the next general election.

Cllr Alyson Barnes, who has led Rossendale Borough Council for the last six years, will run for Labour when Valley voters next head to the polls to elect a new government.

Ms Barnes was chosen by members of the Rossendale Labour party following a rigorous selection process over the last few weeks.

The vote took place in order for the party to prepare for the next general election, with Labour targeting seventy of the most marginal seats nationally.

Although the general election is scheduled not take place until May 5, 2022 under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, uncertainty over Prime Minister Theresa May’s future has raised the prospect that it could be earlier.

Ms Barnes, who confirmed her candidacy on Twitter, said she was ‘absolutely delighted’ to have won the backing of her party.

She tweeted: “I am absolutely delighted. Many thanks to my outstanding campaign team, this wouldn’t have happened without them! @RossendaleLab @SeanSerridge @SteveHughes92 @KieranRR91.”

The Labour Party tweeted: “Congratulations Alyson Barnes (@alysonbarnes17), Labour’s candidate for Rossendale and Darwen!”

Ms Barnes, who also represents the Goodshaw ward on Rossendale Council, told the Lancashire Telegraph: “I have been chosen for whenever the next election might be.

“It is so if a snap election is called, Labour will have candidates in place and prepared to fight it.

“Nationally, Labour is targetting 70 of the most marginal seats in the country which the party thinks it can win.

“I am absolutely delighted to have been selected as the candidate to represent residents in Rossendale and Darwen.

“It’s a great privilege to be representing and area where I live.”

Hynburn's MP Graham Jones, who backed Ms Barnes’ candidacy, said; “I’ve known Alyson and worked with her for a number of years.

“She is somebody who has got a good knowledge of the area and the people, so I’m pleased.”

It comes after Ms Barnes also stood for Labour in the recent General Election, which saw her secure the party’s highest vote share in the area since 2001.

After a tense night, the Rossendale and Darwen result finally came in at 4am and saw Conservative candidate Jake Berry take the seat.

Polling 25,499 votes, 50.8 per cent of the vote, he regained the seat he has held for the past seven years.

But Ms Barnes came in a close second with 22,283 votes and a 44.4 per cent share of the vote.