Heading chosen as SDLP's Lagan Valley candidate

Mr Heading, 53, who has sat on Lisburn City Council for six years, having first been co-opted onto the council in 2004, works for Queens University Belfast and is a father of one.

Mr Heading recently replaced the late Councillor Peter O'Hagan as leader of the Lisburn SDLP Group. He also recently became a grandfather when his daughter Alannagh gave birth to a baby boy named Aidan.

Speaking about his selection, the former Chair of the Council's Leisure Services Committee, said: "I am honoured to have been selected as the SDLP candidate for Lagan Valley.

"As Westminster candidate, and in my role as a councillor, I will strive to help local businesses through the recession, maintain job creation and economic development in Lisburn City and surrounding areas.

"I will continue to promote credit union membership, sustainable planning and will lobby tirelessly to keep Health Service resources intact.

"It will be no easy challenge, but I am determined to continue to roll up my sleeves and get hard to work on the ground on the bread and butter issues that matter to local residents."