Labour has selected a London borough councillor to try to win a Norfolk seat in the next general election - but he has hit back at claims he lacks local links to the county.

Tim Leaver, who is cabinet member for finance and procurement at Enfield Council, has been picked to be Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for North West Norfolk.

Eastern Daily Press: Tim Leaver is Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for North West NorfolkTim Leaver is Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for North West Norfolk (Image: The Labour Party)

The choice was criticised by the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate Rob Colwell, who questioned Mr Leaver's local credentials.

Mr Colwell said: "The two major parties are at it again. At the last general election the Tories helicoptered in James Wild from London as our new MP and now the Labour Party has decided to helicopter in their candidate from London as well.

"Both major parties seem to think there is insufficient local talent to find a suitable candidate."

Eastern Daily Press: Liberal Democrat Rob ColwellLiberal Democrat Rob Colwell (Image: Rob Colwell)

But Mr Leaver hit back. He said: "It was an open selection and it was the members of the North West Norfolk Labour party who selected me.

"I very purposely wanted to stand in North West Norfolk. My partner was born in King's Lynn and grew up in Hunstanton.

"We have family and friends here, so I've spent a lot of time here over the last eight or 10 years. I want to represent an area I know well."

Eastern Daily Press: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's LynnThe Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Leaver said his priorities included securing investment to rebuild Queen Elizabeth Hospital, tackling issues with flooding and sewage spills, such as at Heacham and getting more affordable housing built.

He said he was also concerned about the Medworth incinerator, which is due to be built over the border near Wisbech.

North West Norfolk has been in Conservative hands since 2001. Current MP Mr Wild got almost 66pc of the vote in the 2019 election, with a majority of just under 20,000.

Eastern Daily Press: North West Norfolk MP James WildNorth West Norfolk MP James Wild (Image: Archant)

Labour finished second, with 10,705, with Mr Colwell third for the Lib Dems with 3,625.

Labour has also announced Iain Simpson is the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for the renamed Broadland and Fakenham seat.

Eastern Daily Press: King's Lynn is part of the North West Norfolk constituencyKing's Lynn is part of the North West Norfolk constituency (Image: Mike Page)

That seat is currently held by Conservative Jerome Mayhew. Mr Mayhew took just under 60pc of the vote in 2019, with a majority of almost 22,000.

Mr Simpson, who finished second when he ran for Labour in the constituency in 2017, will be up against Mr Mayhew, Lib Dem candidate Dr Leyla Hannbeck and Green candidate Jan Davis.