JOURNALIST Caroline Firth will contest Keighley East for Labour at next May's council elections.

Mrs Firth is an opponent of the controversial waste-to-energy incinerator planned at Marley.

And she is against what she describes as "backdoor privatisation plans" at Airedale Hospital, where a separate company is to run estates, facilities and procurement services.

Mrs Firth, 33, from Shipley, a communications officer at Carers' Resource, said: "I am delighted to have been selected as the candidate for Keighley East.

"I visit the area often, but look forward to spending even more time there and getting to know even more people.

"I'm keen to get started, working alongside the community and the sitting Labour councillors and MP."

Mrs Firth is married with a two-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old stepson.

She is involved with several community groups and has been governor of a special school for 12 years.