CANDIDATES have been confirmed for the forthcoming general election for the Bury North and Bury South constituencies.

Labour's James Frith and the Liberal Democrat's Richard Baum will challenge David Nuttall on June 8 for Bury North, who is standing again after winning the seat for the Conservatives in the 2015 general election.

Bury North includes the wards of Church, East, Elton, Moorside, North Manor, Ramsbottom, Redvales, and Tottington.

In Bury South, Ivan Lewis, who was elected as the constituency's MP in 2015, is running again and will be challenged by four other candidates.

Robert Largan will stand for the Conservatives in Bury South, which covers the wards of Besses, Holyrood, Pilkington Park, Radcliffe East, Radcliffe North, Radcliffe West, St Mary’s, Sedgley, and Unsworth.

Andrew Page will represent the Liberal Democrats, Peter Wright is standing as an independent and Ian Henderson will stand for UKIP.

UKIP will not field a candidate in Bury North, possibly because of David Nuttall's track record of campaigning to leave the European Union.

UKIP leader Paul Nuttall had previously said his party would not contest seats against candidates from major parties who supported leaving the EU, citing David Nuttall as an example.

On June 8 there will also be a Bury Council by-election in Radcliffe East ward.

The four candidates for the by-election, which is taking place after the ward's former councillor Nick Parnell stood down, are Robert Graham for the Liberal Democrats, Nicole Haydock for the Green Party, Karen Leach for Labour and James Mason for the Conservatives.

Residents have until 22 May to make sure they are on the electoral register and entitled to vote in both the general election and by-election.

The closing date for requesting a postal vote is 23 May. In both instances, email: electionservices@bury.gov.uk or call 0161 253 5252.