A 54-year-old businessman has been chosen to contest Keighley Central Ward for the Conservatives in the May council elections.

Jamil Malik, pictured, who has lived in the town for 40 years and has worked as a Victim Support volunteer, is married with four children.

He said: "My children all have a good education behind them and I want to ensure that everyone who grows up in Keighley has the same opportunities as them. We must also work harder to ensure that when our young people leave full-time education, there are sufficient local jobs for them to take up and the chance for them to progress in their careers.

"And I am very aware of the problem of health inequalities faced by the district, especially in the most economically deprived areas, which must be urgently addressed."