A LABOUR stalwart is kicking off his party's election campaign in Keighley at the beginning of next week.

Roy Hattersley, Labour's former deputy leader will be in Keighley on Monday March 30 – the same day as Parliament is dissolved for the general election.

He will address a public meeting at Central Hall, Alice Street, starting at 7pm.

Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for Keighley, John Grogan, said: "I know Roy from when he came to speak at meetings for me when I was MP in Selby. He's quite a passionate speaker and we're glad to have him."

Mr Hattersley served as a senior minister in both the Wilson and Callaghan governments and was an MP in Birmingham for 33 years.

Mr Grogan said equality of opportunity had been a central theme of Mr Hattersley's writings and political life, adding that this issue was still very relevant today.

Admission to the meeting in Central Hall is free.

E-mail KeighleyAndIlkleyLabourParty@gmail.com or call 01535 602579 to reserve a place and for further information.