LABOUR has selected Sauchie Margaret Brookes to stand as their candidate in next month's Clackmannanshire Central by-election.

Margaret currently sits on the Sauchie Community Group management committee and was one of the founding members of the popular Sauchie Community Group Choir.

She is also a former member of Lornshill Academy's board, as well as the PTA.

The ballot, to be held on Thursday, March 28, was prompted by the resignation of the SNP's Phil Fairlie in January.

It will be the second by-election in Clackmannanshire in just over 12 months, following the resignation of Archie Drummond last year.

Margaret said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to fight this by-election as the Scottish Labour candidate.

"The cuts being proposed by the SNP at Clackmannanshire Council will have a devastating impact upon local services and communities.

"Over the last eight years, the council has cut over £43million from budgets and are now proposing millions of additional cuts.

"These cuts are hurting communities, they are closing facilities and they reducing services – it must stop.

"As a community activist in the Clackmannanshire central ward, I have seen first-hand how this ward has been attacked time and time again.

"Last year they came after our community hall and our community organisations; this year they came after the education, with proposing a potential closure of Fishcross primary, reduction in school hours, increased music tuition fees, and reduced subject choices.

"On top of that, the proposed ending of the funding of the Leisure Bowl will be dreadful for this community: it is used by all age groups, and is somewhere that people go to improve mental and physical health.

"If elected, I will stand up for all constituents and fight for a fairer deal for this community.

"Over the next days and months, I will take forward my positive case to the doorsteps of voters and I will listen to their concerns.

"If elected I will be a strong, determined voice for Sauchie, Fishcross and Alloa. Many will already know me from my work in the community group and as a founding member of the Sauchie Community Group Choir, but I hope the voters of Clackmannanshire Central will give me the opportunity to be their voice at Clackmannanshire Council."