RETIRED senior fire officer Paul Taylor has been announced as the Brexit Party’s candidate for Oldham East and Saddleworth at the next General Election.

The 62-year-old married father-on-one will take on sitting Labour MP Debbie Abrahams MP who had a majority of 8,182 in 2017.

Mr Taylor, a Grasscroft resident who has lived in the area for 20 years, finished as Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s commander for Oldham borough.

He said: “I have spent many years waiting to vote for an honest; reliable and genuine candidate that truly believes in democracy.

“Given that it seems to be impossible to find one, I decided to stand for election myself.”

Mr Taylor, who has has a Masters degree in Business said: “The wanton destruction of our green spaces is nothing short of an assault on nature itself, with misplaced priorities being exercised at national and local level due when there are alternatives right across the borough of Oldham.

“Alternatives in the form of brownfield and derelict buildings that could once again be at the heart of vibrant communities, but adapted to provide homes rather than a place of work."