The Labour Party has chosen a 33-year-old local barrister to take on George Galloway, among others, in the forthcoming Bradford West by-election.

Bradford city councillor Imran Hussain was chosen from a shortlist of seven at a meeting in the city last night, the party said.

The by-election, on March 29, has been called because Labour's Marsha Singh decided to step down due to health problems.

Mr Singh has represented the seat since 1997 and had a majority of 5,763 in the 2010 general election.

Mr Hussain, who is deputy leader of Bradford Council, said: "It is a great honour to have been selected by the Labour Party to contest this election in my home constituency.

"Bradford West is where I was born, where I went to school and where I live now. I've been a hard working local campaigner since I was a teenager.

"Now more than ever Bradford people need a strong voice to stand up for them in the face of unfair Tory cuts and spiralling unemployment that are hitting our local families hard - I will be that strong voice.

"If I'm elected I promise I will always do what's right for Bradford, not what's right for Westminster, and that means working tirelessly to bring investment and well-paid jobs to our great city."

Other candidates who have so far announced they are standing include Jeanette Sunderland for the Lib Dems, Jackie Whiteley for the Tories, Sonja McNally for UKIP and George Galloway for Respect.