TWO more west Cumbrian councillors have thrown their hats into the ring to get Labour's nod in the race to become Copeland's next MP.

Tim Knowles, a Cumbria county councillor, and Barbara Cannon, an Allerdale borough councillor and former county councillor, are the latest names confirmed to have put their names forward for their party's selection process.

Mr Knowles, 67, holds a host of community roles and sits on various committees locally and nationally. He has been a county councillor since 2001, a member of the Lake District National Park Authority for the past two years, and was a Copeland councillor for four years.

During a 20-year career with BNFL, he was works secretary at Sellafield and became head of corporate affairs, during which time he created the company's socio-economic programme.

"With Jamie Reed's departure, there are a host of issues that need to be tackled; the hospital and health service, transport, Whitehaven Academy and the nuclear industry," said Mr Knowles, of Frizington.

"It needs someone with the experience and knowledge of how to tackle – and solve – problems.

"People are frightened about what's happening to the hospital, and I'm I can fight their battle.

"I've worked with Parliament over many years, so I've got the experience of working at a high level, and I hope that my party agrees that I'm in a good position to stand."

Mrs Cannon, of Harrington, has spent 25 years in local politics, including a 16-year stint on Cumbria County Council, and currently sits on Allerdale Borough Council where she is a former deputy leader.

With vast experience in development, education and health sectors in both her career and public service, Mrs Cannon stood as her party's parliamentary candidate for Penrith and the Border seat in the 2010 General Election.

"I have a good track record in campaigning on the issues that matter to people," said Mrs Cannon.

"There's health, flooding, nuclear – but it's important to remember that Copeland is bigger than just Whitehaven, and I'd be keen to represent the large rural area.

"I'm a proud west Cumbrian and it's crucial that west Cumbria has a united, strategic vision of what it wants to be. Our strength is in our community."

Others confirmed to have applied for Labour's selection include local duo, West Cumberland Hospital campaigner Rachel Holliday and county and borough councillor Gillian Troughton.

Nominations closed on Monday and the party's selection will be made on January 19. The by-election will be formally called at the end of January when Jamie Reed steps down as MP for a job at Sellafield.

The other political parties have yet to publicly announce details of their selection process.