THE Labour Party has selected its police and crime commissioner candidate for May's elections - with a former parliamentary hopeful landing the role.

Dan Walton, who tried to become the MP for West Worcestershire last year, has been confirmed as the party's chosen one.

In May voters across the West Mercia Police force region will get to vote on a new £75,000-a-year elected figurehead to replace Bill Longmore.

Mr Walton, who first outlined his intentions to try and become Labour's candidate last year, is known for his grassroots campaigning and built up a new West Worcestershire branch virtually from scratch in 2013.

The 39-year-old, a father-of-three, is widely seen as a rising star within party ranks and runs his own businesses selling outdoor camping and caravan products.

At least year's General Election he polled 7,244 votes, finishing a narrow third to UKIP and was unable to prevent Tory Harriett Baldwin romping home with a huge 22,578 majority.

He has already laid out his stall by calling West Mercia "underfunded" when compared to other areas, especially the metropolitan forces.

He said: "West Mercia police force is seriously underfunded in comparison to other police force areas.

"My top priority is to ensure that this underfunding, and the knock on it has on officer numbers, is rectified quickly.

"Currently large rural areas are completely uncovered and rural crime needs serious attention.

"I'll also be working closely on a domestic violence initiative - something none of the other candidates are talking about.

"Considering the recent report about failings on domestic violence in West Mercia, this has to be looked into and quickly."

Mr Walton's selection now means there will be at least five people battling it out to become West Mercia's new commissioner.

In May the current commissioner Bill Longmore is stepping down, leaving the key role up for grabs.

Mr Longmore's current deputy Barrie Sheldon revealed last month how he'd be standing for the top job, saying as an independent he wanted to "keep politics out of policing".

The Conservatives are standing Councillor John Campion, a member of the senior Tory leadership at County Hall, while the Green Party is aiming to raise the £5,000 needed to stand Councillor John Raine.

Andrew Caitlin, a criminal justice and health consultant who worked for police service for 24 years in a variety of roles including armed response and anti-terrorism, is also standing as an independent.