A FORMER York council leader is stepping back into front-line politics to fight next month's crucial Westfield by-election.

Liberal Democrat Andrew Waller was leader of City of York Council until he dramatically lost his seat when Labour swept to power in May 2011.

Now he has been announced as the party's candidate for the October 16 by-election, which follows the death of Cllr Lynn Jeffries. If he wins the seat, Labour will have lost overall control of the council until the next elections in May.

Labour's candidate is Louise Corson, an NHS worker who also lives in Westfield.

Mr Waller said: "It is an honour to be selected to represent the Liberal Democrats in this crucial by-election with the council resting on a knife edge at the moment. Lynn Jeffries was well respected for her work in Westfield especially with community groups, and will be missed by all in the ward.”

He said people in Westfield felt "cut off" from council decision making, and believe their neighbourhood has been let down by council leadership despite the efforts of front-line staff.

At the 2011 election all six highest polling places were taken by Labour and Lib Dem candidates who all got between 1767 and 1162 votes, while seventh place went to the Conservative's Andrew Brooks with 561 votes and all three Green party candidates polled fewer than 350 votes.

There were 139 votes separating Mr Waller, who won 1401 votes and polled in fourth place, from Labour's Dafydd Williams, who won 1540 votes, was elected and who now serves as cabinet member for finance.

Ms Corson said she had been motivated to join the Labour party and stand for office by the heavy cuts to public services made by the coalition Government.

She said: "I’m really proud to be standing for election in my own community and I’m looking forward to meeting as many residents as possible over the coming weeks. I’m alarmed by the attitude of the Tories to our public services and outraged that the Lib Dems have supported them every step of the way."

Nominations for the by-election close on Friday but both the other parties represented on City of York Council have announced their candidates and UKIP are expecting to stand.

Green party candidate Alison Webb stood in the ward in 2011, and is expected to be confirmed as the official nominee at a party meeting this evening [Wednesday], while the Conservatives' candidate Jason Brown also lives in the ward. UKIP's regional chairman for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Judith Morris has confirmed she intends to stand.