A TV historian and University of Essex academic has been chosen by Colchester Labour to contest one of its target seats.

Professor Pamela Cox, presenter of two major history series for BBC Two, will contest the New Town and Christchurch ward at May’s Colchester Council elections.

Mrs Cox is a long-standing Colchester resident and Labour Party member and gives regular public talks about her work at the likes of Essex Book Festival.

She said: “Now my children are older, I have more time to devote to politics.

“There are lots of live issues in Colchester. I’m keen to work with others to create more green, sustainable and safer ways of living, for example.”

Labour Group leader Tina Bourne added: “We’re delighted to have Pam on board and look forward to working with her as one of our candidates.”