Nurse to contest marginal Wolverhampton South West seat for Labour

A trade unionist hospital nurse has been selected to contest the key Labourmarginal of Wolverhampton South West in this year's June election.

Eleanor Smith, who became the first ever black woman president of Unison in 2011/12 will seek to protect Labour's 801 majority in the seat.

Earlier this month, the current Labour MP Rob Marris announced he would not be seeking re-election in what is predicted to be a tightly fought contest with the Conservatives in the key Midlands battleground.

The Tories have selected the constituency's former MP Paul Uppal to stand in the seat.

The theatre nurse who works at Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, said it was "an absolute privilege" to be selected.

She said the NHS would be at the heart of Labour's campaigning.

Sarah Quarmby is set to stand for the Liberal Democrats.