Labour has chosen its candidate to stand in the by-election caused by the resignation of Tory councillor John Ward.

Former Medway councillor Adam Price, pictured, will challenge for a seat when the residents of Rochester South and Horsted go to the polls on May 8. Mr Price, 50, was the children’s spokesman for Medway’s Labour group until last year, when he lost his Gillingham North seat to the Liberal Democrats.

The Liberal Democrats have announced party activist Viv Parker as their candidate, while the Conservative candidate is yet to be chosen.

The by-election has been caused by John Ward’s resignation after a furore triggered by comments he made on his personal website, suggesting parents on benefits should be compulsorily sterilised.