Former Keighley MP Gary Waller is staging a dramatic political comeback by running for the Tory nomination to fight the Shipley seat.

Mr Waller, 54, was ousted at the 1997 general election by Labour's Ann Cryer after 14 years as Keighley MP.

Last month he told his constituency he would not fight the seat again.

This week he revealed that he is among 14 candidates seeking to contest the Shipley constituency, presently held by Labour MP Chris Leslie.

Mr Waller, who is just starting his third and final year studying for an MBA with the Open University, told the Keighley News: "I have enjoyed doing different things during the past two years, but after 18 years in parliament it's in my blood.

"I have longstanding links with the Shipley district - my first home was in Bingley and then I lived in Baildon for 20 years - and those associations are very dear to me.

"I think it would be a mistake to seek a return to Keighley and retread a path previously followed. This is a new challenge.

"I'm anticipating an election in 18 months' time and it's going to need a big commitment.

"I actually joined the Conservative party in Shipley a good many years ago and was urged to stand by a number of people.

"Local councillors have built up a tremendous amount of support and with the local government elections next spring it will be potentially a launching pad in Shipley next time around.

"I'm a great believer in community politics and did a lot of hard work at the community level."

The 14 candidates will be whittled down to five or six and a final shortlist will then be recommended to a special general meeting of the Shipley Conservative Association on November 13.

Every paid-up member is entitled to vote and the successful prospective parliamentary candidate will be revealed that evening. These include Bingley councillor Colin Gill, Bingley rural councillor Simon Cooke, National chairman of the Conservative Candidates Association Ken Hind and Birkenshaw beef farmer Robert Light who fought Halifax at the last election.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.