THE Green Party has confirmed that it will be putting up two candidates in Bolton at next month’s general election.

The Greens will be contesting the seats of Bolton South East and Bolton North East, but — for the second election running — will not be standing in the marginal Bolton West constituency.

Alan Johnson, who is a candidate in Bolton South East for the third time, said: “I am honoured to once again be selected to stand in Bolton South East, an area in which I have lived all of my life.

“I know the area and I know the problems that it has. I want a fair deal for Bolton South East and the people deserve someone who will fight for them.”

The 68-year-old, who won 1,200 at the 2015 election, says that the decision not to contest Bolton West was made due to financial concerns and so as not to split the left-wing vote.

Sitting Tory MP Chris Green won the seat from Labour with a majority of just 801 two years ago.

Mr Johnson, who recently retired after 13 years working in social care and was previously and engineer, added: “Bolton West is a marginal seat and, ultimately, we don’t want to see a Tory government elected.

“We would not like to be responsible for the Conservatives winning that seat, we want a progressive candidate to be elected. But, then again, we made this decision in 2015 as well and the Tories still won Bolton West.

“It is also a matter of funding for us. This is a snap election that has caught everyone on the hop, and financing a general election campaign is not easy.”

Liz Spencer, a retired mental health worker who lives in Egerton, will be standing for the Greens in Bolton North East.

The mum-of-four, aged 58, said: “I think it is important that constituents are represented by local people. The message I want to spread is one of a clear and hopeful future that is not determined by the vested interests of the minority.”