FORMER Cradley MP Lynda Waltho has been named as one of Labour’s top three candidates for the West Midlands selected to fight for a seat in the European Parliament in 2014.

Mrs Waltho, a former regional minister for the West Midlands, has been named the party’s third regional favourite to gain a seat in the 2014 European election.

Neena Gill was voted the party’s number one candidate for the West Midlands and Sion Simon ranked second in the final list.

Mrs Waltho, who is one of seven Labour party candidates campaigning to become one of the region’s MEPs, said: “I am really pleased that Labour is the first party ever in the West Midlands to have two women in the top three slots for the European elections and I'm proud to be part of such a strong, committed and inspiring team picked by ordinary Labour Party members to be their MEP candidates.

“Electing Labour MEPs will mean there will be a powerful One Nation voice standing up for ordinary hardworking families in Europe just as I did in Westminster whilst Member of Parliament for Stourbridge and Cradley.”

Mrs Waltho, who lost her seat to Tory Margot James in 2010, added: “We will be fighting hard to win the 2014 European Elections and this team shows we are more than up to the task.

“Jobs and growth are our top priorities and we will be campaigning hard to make sure the region gets a fair deal.”

Labour’s other candidates for the West Midlands are: Ansar Ali-Khan, Olwen Hamer, Anthony Ethapemi and Claire Edwards.

In the last European elections only the top Labour candidate on the list was elected but party chiefs are expecting a better showing next year as they are not in power.