Dunwoody's daughter to fight seat

Gwyneth Dunwoody served as the area's MP for 34 years

The late Gwyneth Dunwoody's daughter has been chosen to fight her Crewe and Nantwich seat for Labour at a by-election later this month.

Tamsin Dunwoody, 49, who was a Labour member of the Welsh Assembly from 2003 to 2007, will defend a 7,078 majority in the seat on 22 May.

It follows what Gordon Brown described as a "disappointing" result for Labour in last week's local elections.

Some Labour MPs believe the government called the by-election too soon.

Birkenhead MP Frank Field told the BBC the government had "rushed into" the Crewe and Nantwich by-election, which could have been held in six months' time - setting itself another election hurdle so soon after its local elections defeats.

The by-election was triggered by the death of Mrs Dunwoody - the longest serving female MP - aged 77, last month.

Her daughter was a deputy minister in the Welsh Assembly but was ousted by the Conservatives in last year's elections.

Speaking after her selection as Labour candidate on Saturday, she said she felt "honoured and privileged" but added: "My mum is a formidable act to follow".

Edward Timpson will fight the constituency for the Conservatives, while Elizabeth Shenton will do so for the Liberal Democrats.