WIRRAL comedienne Pauline Daniels is set to fight for a seat at Wallasey Town Hall as she stands in the forthcoming by-elections.

The well-known actress has been selected as a Labour candidate for Leasowe and Moreton East following the sad death of Cllr Anne McArdle.

The 57-year-old will be hoping to win enough votes to join Cllr Ron Abbey and Cllr Anita Leech in the ward when the polls open on January 17.

And Pauline said she is looking forward to launching her campaign in the area.

She said: "I joined the Labour party quite a while ago and had thought about standing in the local elections at some point in the future. But following the sad death of Anne McArdle, it has been a complete whirlwind.

"I'm really thrilled to have been selected because I lived in Moreton for 10 years and I’m familiar with the area and its problems.

"I have always been very straight-talking throughout my life so if I am lucky enough to win, then I will be honest with people and do my best to work through the issues in the area."

Also standing in the by-election will be former Leasowe and Moreton East councillor Ian Lewis who failed to be re-elected in May.

Ian said he would use his previous experience to get to work in the ward if he was voted in.

He said: "Moreton and Leasowe need councillors who work all year round and, if people vote to bring me back as their councillor, I will use my experience over the last four years to get cracking from day one."
                  
He added: "I've heard that Pauline Daniels is very funny in panto but I'm not sure Wirral needs another comedian in the Town Hall!"

However Pauline said she is ready to tackle her fight head-on and is prepared to take on "hecklers."

She said: "I have had 32 years of hecklers and am very thick-skinned so people can say what they like. I’m ready for it so bring it on!"