David Skaith has been selected by the Labour Party as its candidate in the race to become the first Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

He joins Conservative candidate Keane Duncan, Green candidate Kevin Foster and Independent Keith Tordoff.

The owner of a clothing shop in York, Harrogate-born Mr Skaith lives in Wheldrake, near York, with his wife and two young children.

His business background led him to be Chair of York High Street Forum, where he has spent three years building a strong city centre in York.

He was also secretary of IndieYork, an organisation that promotes independent businesses, and has helped grow locally-run enterprises.

He said, “It is an honour to be selected as Labour’s candidate for North Yorkshire Mayor. We need the first ever Mayor of North Yorkshire to be a strong voice on the side of local residents.

"I am passionate about growing our local economy through strong industry and business, restoring the reliable transport connections we desperately need and delivering on the priorities of our communities here in North Yorkshire.

“We have been taken for granted by the Conservatives for too long, and our region is being left behind as a result. We have so much to offer, and as North Yorkshire’s mayor I will always fight for what we deserve.”

The mayoral election is expected to take place in May next year.