Labour parliamentary candidate Stuart Brady believes he is the right man to "champion" Welwyn Hatfield as selection day looms.

The former pro rugby player is up against Andrew Lewin, Hannah McHugh and Julian Vaughan as they look to challenge Grant Shapps and the Conservatives for the borough's MP seat.

The candidate will be chosen by Labour members on Saturday at Welwyn Garden City's Ludwick Centre, with Mr Brady setting out his stall to the party during a meeting on Monday night at Birchwood Methodist Church.

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"Welwyn Hatfield has not had strong political leadership for at least two decade," he told Labour members. 

"It is drifting and needs someone with the force of personality to lead the effort to turn the town centres around, clean up our local environment, and stand up for the area.

"Some people think that Welwyn Hatfield’s best days are behind it, with strong leadership that need not be the case.

READ MORE: Welwyn Hatfield Labour reveals parliamentary candidates

"With Labour’s fortunes on the rise, this is a golden opportunity to select and then elect a forceful champion for the area. I want to be that champion."

Mr Brady has family ties to Welwyn Hatfield too, with his grandfather helping to build the area, while his "aunty and uncle were amongst the last redundancies at British Aerospace in Hatfield".

The Welwyn Hatfield Times plans to interview each candidate ahead of selection day.