THE ONLY person from Barnsley to put himself forward to replace MP Jeff Ennis in Barnsley East has been snubbed by the Labour Party.

Coun Tim Cheetham has not made the shortlist of candidates who constituency members can vote for to become the official Labour candidate for the seat.

The four shortlisted candidates, chosen by a special selections panel of the Labour Party in London, are not from the Barnsley area.

Front runner Michael Dugher (pictured), the prime minister's chief political spokesman, is from Edlington but currently lives in Hertfordshire; David Bowe is a former member of European parliament originally from Newcastle but living in Leeds; Sally Waters, originally from Hull, is the publicity manager for disabled children's charity Whizz Kidz and Lisa Homan is a councillor in Hammersmith and Fulham in London.

An announcement on the successful candidate is expected on Monday night.

Dave Milner, subpostmaster at Grimethorpe post office, said: "The government has gone through such a difficult time with the expenses scandal, they should be looking to generate trust in candidates.

"The best chance of getting a candidate to be trusted is to get somebody well known, understands local issues and has a rapport with the electorate."

Grimethorpe WMC steward Simon Taylor said: "It should be someone who knows the area but it depends if they do a good job."

Sean Haynes, of Raymond Avenue, added: "Of course we would prefer a local candidate, somebody that knows Grimethorpe rather than someone from London that doesn't know anything."