General Election candidates: Bolton West

Chris Green, Conservatives

Mr Green was elected as MP for Bolton West in 2015, narrowly beating Julie Hilling.

The 43-year-old voted for the UK to leave the European Union in last year’s referendum and has also spoken out against any potential fracking on land in the constituency.

Mr Green added that he is proud of his record of fighting against inappropriate housing development and working to introduce improved security measures at polling booths.

He said: “I have confidence, having worked for the people of Bolton West for the last two years, that they will re-elect me. I understand the constituency and I feel that I am in a good position to represent residents’ concerns.”

He added that Theresa May is “the only leader capable of standing resolutely for the British people” when it comes to negotiating a Brexit deal later this year.

Julie Hilling, Labour

Ms Hilling served as the Labour MP for Bolton West from 2010 to 2015, before losing the seat to Chris Green at the last election.

During her time in Parliament, she launched a campaign to promote Emergency Life Skills (ELS) and also campaigned on dangerous dogs, following the death of a constituent in Atherton.

Ms Hilling, who has lived in the constituency for more than 30 years, said: “I want the ability to raise issues that are important to constituents and to make change that will really help them.

“It has been very frustrating for the last two years, seeing stories of bad things happening to our communities and being powerless to influence change for them.

“The inability to help stop the worst excesses of the Tory government has been hard.”

Rebecca Forrest, Liberal Democrats

A passionate environmental campaigner, Ms Forrest has vowed to fight against all attempts to carry out fracking in the UK if elected.

The 38-year-old, who is a science teacher, said: “I am not convinced that fracking is safe and it is definitely not sustainable.

“Why isn’t money being spend developing new technologies that are sustainable in the long-term? It is very short-sighted.”

Ms Forrest also helps at a local Rainbows group and campaigns for better mental health support in Bolton.

She has also backed Lib Dem plans to invest almost £37 million in schools and colleges in Bolton and Atherton over the next parliament.

She said: “We will reverse crippling Conservative cuts to school budgets and invest to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.”

Martin Tighe, UKIP

The 37-year-old is a financial analyst working in Manchester and is involved in a number of community organisations in his hometown of Westhoughton.

Mr Tighe, who has two children, is a founding member of the Friends of Westhoughton Station group and is chief administrator of the Our Westhoughton website.

He has previously stood to be a councillor in Westhoughton South and also in the recent Daisy Hill by-election.

Mr Tighe said: “People will vote for me because they know me and know that I am active in the area in a way that other candidates aren’t when it is not election time. Voters want someone who they know will reach out to them.”

He added the national security will be a deciding factor on June 8.