THE Labour Party has announced its candidate for the West of England metro mayor election in May.

Lesley Mansell, a member of Peasedown St John Parish Council, near Bath, will represent the party after beating off competition from two other party members.

She campaigned for nomination on the promise of building more homes and improving transport connections.

South Gloucestershire Council, along with Bristol City and Bath and North East Somerset councils, voted for devolution in June.

As well as North Somerset Council, which voted against the proposal, the three authorities were offered a £900m deal over 30 years to invest in key areas, in the March Budget.

Forming part of the devolution deal, the three councils will be represented by a metro mayor who will be chosen at elections in May.

Through devolution, the councils will be given additional powers in a number of areas, including housing and transport.

Labour’s Bristol South MP Karin Smyth said: “I’d like to pass on my congratulations to Lesley Mansell on her selection as Labour candidate to be metro mayor.

“I know in the weeks ahead Labour Party members across Bristol, B&NES and South Gloucestershire will get behind Lesley’s campaign, explaining to voters how Labour values can shape the new role of metro mayor to meet local priorities.”