Trafford Councillor Phil Eckersley has been announced as the Conservative Party's candidate for Greater Manchester mayor

The Conservative Party has announced its candidate for the forthcoming Greater Manchester mayoral by-election.

Phil Eckersley currently represents Bowdon ward on Trafford Council where he is his party's deputy leader and shadow executive member for health and care.

The by-election on 30 July was called after Andy Burnham stood down earlier this month following his election as the new MP for Makerfield.

A full list of the announced candidates standing to be mayor can be found here.

Eckersley is a local businessman who founded Bridgewater Home Care in 2010 in Wigan and has "grown it into a successful care business supporting vulnerable and older people across the region, while employing more than 100 staff," the party said.

He previously served as president of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Wigan division.

He said: "I am honoured to have been selected... Greater Manchester is my home, and it's a region with enormous potential, but too often decisions are made with a focus on Manchester city centre - with the outer boroughs getting left behind."

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