VETERAN MP Sir David Crausby is seeking reselection as Labour's candidate in Bolton North-East at the next General Election.

The 73-year-old, who has held the seat since the 1997, won with a majority of 3,797 in 2017.

He has told Labour's national executive and his constituency party committee of his decision.

Work now starts to arrange the 'trigger' ballots of Bolton North-East seven branches and affiliated organisations to see if he is chosen as candidate without a contest.

A similar process with regard to Bolton South-East MP and shadow justice minister Yasmin Qureshi starts next week.

Labour has already chosen former Bolton West MP Julie Hilling to try and take back the seat from Conservative Chris Green who has held it since 2015.

Sir David said: "It is a privilege to represent the people of Bolton North-East in Parliament.

"I think I'm active enough, fit enough and interested enough to keep going.

"The next election will not be all about Brexit but other issues such as the damaging impact of austerity on the town.

"This Parliament is dead on its feet and we need a new decisive government led by Jeremy Corbyn who has grown into the job as Labour leader."

The Conservatives have selected former diplomat Mark Logan to fight Bolton North-East and while the Brexit Party has selected building company boss Trevor Jones

Mr Green said: "Sir David will face a tough fight to keep his seat. I hope to have at least one more Tory MP colleague in in Bolton after the election."

Ms Qureshi said: "It is an honour to be MP for Bolton South-East and I want to go on representing my constituents . There is still a lot to be done."

The Brexit Party candidates for Bolton South-East and West are Cllr Mark Cunningham and company boss Paul Brierley.