A MUSIC teacher has been named as the Labour Party's candidate for Otley and Yeadon at next year's city council elections.

Twenty seven year old Nik Rutherford, who teaches in and around Leeds and runs a community choir, has been selected by the party's Otley and Yeadon branch to stand in the ward.

Originally from Edinburgh, Mr Rutherford has been based in the Leeds area since 2006 and also heads a project team that gives younger children access to music and the arts through their local secondary school.

Former Labour Leader of Otley Town Council, John Eveleigh said: "Nik is an energetic and committed candidate, and if elected to the city council would make a real difference in Otley and Yeadon."

Mr Rutherford, who is hoping to win the seat from Liberal Democrat Sandy Lay next May, said: "Since 2010 the coalition and Tory governments have cut to the bone the budgets of council services like adult social care, primary schools and highways.

"This leaves communities like Otley and Yeadon fighting for shrinking city council resources - and more Tory cuts are coming.

"As the Labour candidate for the ward my goal in fighting the election is to support and protect the people, environment and services that are so essential to making our community a thriving, vibrant and happy place to live and work."