THE Dumbarton Constituency Labour Party has announced its candidates for the council elections on Thursday, May 4.

In 2012 the Labour Party returned the largest number of councillors and formed the council administration.

A spokesman said: “Labour is putting forward a strong team.”

The candidates are as follows: (Ward 1 Lomond): Martin Rooney and Hazel Sorrell, (Ward 2 Leven): Michelle McGinty and John Millar, (Ward 3 Dumbarton): David McBride and Liz Ruine.

Mr Rooney was first elected in 2003, in the former Balloch ward where he beat the SNP group leader. Following the introduction of multi member wards in 2007, he was re-elected as a councillor in the Lomond ward. He is currently the leader of the Labour group and has served as council leader between 2012 and 2017.

Mr Rooney also chaired the West Dunbartonshire community planning partnership and the council’s recruitment committee.

He said: “It’s been an honour to be given the opportunity to stand for election again in the Lomond ward.

“The last five years have been exciting and despite difficult economic circumstances we have put funding in place to help grow our economy supporting jobs and business growth.

“There is still more to do and I will ensure that the best interests of our communities are at the forefront of everything I do.”