Council leader chosen as Labour mayoral candidate

The leader of Manchester City Council will be Labour's candidate to succeed Andy Burnham as mayor of Greater Manchester.

As well as leading the city council, Bev Craig is the deputy mayor for economy, business and inclusive growth on the region's combined authority.

She said: "Greater Manchester is a special place – from the Industrial Revolution, the trade union and co-operative movements and the suffragettes, this place has always fought for progress.

"This place changed my life and I owe it everything. It gave me opportunities I could never have imagined, and I've spent my career trying to give something back."

The by-election for a new mayor was called after Burnham was elected as MP for Makerfield in last Thursday's by-election.

A full list of the announced candidates standing in the mayoral election can be found here.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.