FORMER Labour Euro-MP Michael Hindley is standing for Hyndburn Borough Council in May 7's local elections.

The 72-year-old former lecturer will contest the Overton ward in Great Harwood after sitting councillor Stephanie Haworth stood down for personal reasons.

A former leader of Hyndburn Council, he served three terms as MEP for Lancashire East and then Lancashire South between 1984 and 1999.

Mr Hindley said "I am very happy and proud to have been selected. I am looking forward to being back where I began my career in 1979. I have been involved in political advisory work for the past decade and I look forward to being in frontline elected politics again."

Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson said: "I am delighted. Michael is the ideal candidate."