GRAHAM Turner will be fighting the Denby Dale seat for Labour in this May’s Kirklees Council elections.

The parish councillor was selected by his party after finishing runner-up in last year’s elections, just 229 votes behind Conservative Elaine Ward.

He said: “I have lived in this area all my life and it is dear to my heart. If selected I will argue very strongly the case for our semi-rural villages.

“Northern councils have been hit unfairly by this Government.”

Denby Dale spokeswoman and former Kirklees councillor Maggie Blanshard said: “If any-one knows this area, Graham does. He has consistently fought our corner on issues such as the Green Belt, planning matters, speeding traffic, public transport and many more.

“Now he is heavily involved in the search for intelligent solutions to preserve our library, our Children’s Centre and the many voluntary groups who depend on Kirklees for their support.”