POLITICAL parties across Warrington are preparing to announce their parliamentary candidates ahead of the 'overdue' General Election.

Prime Minister Theresa May made the shock election announcement last Tuesday.

David Mowat enjoyed a 2,750 vote majority in Warrington South for the Tories in 2015, while Helen Jones had an 8,923 vote majority over the Tories in Warrington North.

Both said they are confident of retaining their seats after voters go to the polls on June 8.

Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) is currently going through applications from members bidding to fight for Warrington South.

Cllr Steve Wright, chairman of Warrington South constituency Labour Party, said: "The candidate for Warrington South will be chosen by an NEC panel in the coming days and we are confident that an outstanding candidate will be selected.

"What can be guaranteed is that whoever is selected, there is a passionate membership here of nearly 1,000 people, who are absolutely ready to take this fight to the Tories and win."

Frank Allen, chairman of Warrington North Conservatives, said the branch is 'in no doubt about the importance' of the election.

He added: "We need this election now to secure the strong and stable leadership that the people of Warrington need to see us through Brexit and beyond and to lock in the economic progress we have made together.

"Every vote counts in this election to strengthen Theresa May's and the UK's negotiating position on Brexit.

"So on 8 June the choice is clear – it is a choice between Theresa May's Conservative team providing strong and stable leadership for the United Kingdom, or a coalition of chaos and instability led by a failed and bumbling Jeremy Corbyn that will put our nation's future at risk."

Steph Davies, leader of Warrington and Halton Green Party, said the party will be announcing its candidates in both of the town's seats early next month.

She added: "The election announcement is well overdue and the Greens look forward to the opportunity to contest it.

"However, the timing of the announcement – and the short notice given until election day – could be considered as highly tactical on the part of the Conservatives to allow as little time as possible for candidates to be elected and campaigns to be developed.

"Also, progressive alliances on the left are building momentum so the Conservatives will want to get the election over as soon as they can."

The Liberal Democrats and UKIP have previously confirmed they will be announcing candidates in Warrington North and Warrington South imminently.