AN Atherton woman has been selected to fight the marginal Bolton West seat following MP Ruth Kelly’s decision to stand down at the next election.

Julie Hilling, of Wordsworth Avenue, Atherton said she was “honoured and privileged” to have been selected.

She was one of a six-strong shortlist hopeful of becoming Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for the seat.

Ms Hilling, who is single, is the senior regional organiser for the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association and vice-chairman of the Bolton West constituency party.

Late last year, Labour’s national executive decided that Ruth Kelly’s replacement should also be a woman.

Ms Hilling said: “Waiting for the decision on Saturday only took about an hour, but it seemed like a lifetime.

“Ruth Kelly has served this area with great pride and passion for 11 years and she will be a very hard act to follow. I am determined to serve the communities of Bolton West as well as she has."

Cliff Morris, chairman of Bolton West Constituency Labour Party, and also Bolton Council’s leader, said: “We are proud to have Julie Hilling as our prospective parliamentary candidate."