Ex-Maidenhead man John O'Farrell to contest Eastleigh by-election

Best-selling author and former Maidenhead resident John O'Farrell has been selected as Labour's candidate for the Eastleigh by-election.

The witty TV personality and satirical writer will stand for the party on February 28 following the resignation of the Hampshire town's Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne.

O'Farrell, who grew up near Boulters Lock and attended Desborough School, is a lifelong member of the Labour Party.

He unsuccessfully contested Theresa May's Maidenhead seat in the 2001 general election - a campaign which was the subject of a BBC TV documentary Losing My Maidenhead.

The ex-Courthouse Junior School pupil and author of Things Can Only Get Better will come up against Mike Thornton (Lib Dem), Maria Hutchings (Con) and Diane James (UKIP) in the by-election.