BARROW-and-Furness is set to erupt into a major political battlefield as both the Conservative party and Labour declare they will fight to take possession of the marginal constituency seat in June's snap general election.

Incumbent Labour MP John Woodcock declared last night that he IS to stand again in a bid to continue as parliamentary representative for another term.

But Tory tipsters claim the eyes of the nation will be on Barrow as their party attempts to secure the seat - set to be one of the most closely contested in the country - as their own.

Following a radio silence lasting several hours yesterday, Mr Woodcock finally confirmed in a video message to voters that he would put himself forward and do battle on the doorsteps again to hold the borough for Labour.

But in an unprecedented move, he claimed a vote for him is not a vote for Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Woodcock, who has been one of the most vocal national critics of Mr Corbyn's stance on Britain's nuclear defence programme, said he would always be proud of his achievements for Furness over the past seven years, which include 'securing the historic vote that is bringing 20 years of work with the Dreadnought programme to Barrow's shipyard'.

"But I want to be clear with you about one thing," he added.

"I am intending to seek re-nomination from my local Labour and Cooperative Parties to be their official candidate.

"But I will not countenance ever voting to make Jeremy Corbyn Britain's prime minister.

"Now my party, locally and nationally, will need to decide how to treat my desire for reselection in these circumstances.

"But I promised when I first asked you to vote for me that I would put Furness first and that means doing what is right rather than what is easy."

Simon Fell, the Conservative candidate who managed to reduce Labour's lead in Barrow to just 795 votes less than two years ago, believes his party has never had a better chance of turning Barrow blue.

"It's all to play for," the 36-year-old said.

"I don't hold too much stock in the polls but Labour aren't doing very well thanks to Jeremy Corbyn and people are picking up on that."

Labour's majority in Barrow has been falling since 2001 when Labour took home 57 per cent of the votes, to 2015 when they secured 42 per cent.

Urswick resident James Airey, leader of Cumbria's Conservative Group, said Barrow-in-Furness was set to become a key election battleground ahead of June 8.

Mr Airey, who did not rule out standing for one of Cumbria's parliamentary seats himself, told the Evening Mail: "Barrow will be a hive of activity during the run up to this election.

"If there is a battle bus this time, I'm sure we will see it in Barrow, and I think we can expect to receive visits from high profile Conservative politicians.

"It is absolutely the seat to watch nationally. All of the major political issues matter here, particularly defence, so it will very much be about the battle of leadership between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn."

After the unexpected announcement by Prime Minster Theresa May yesterday, Loraine Birchall, chairman of the Barrow Liberal Democrats, confirmed she will be standing as her party's prospective parliamentary candidate for the seat.

Elsewhere in the county, newly elected Tory MP for Copeland, Trudy Harrison is once again facing the gruelling challenge of an election campaign, just weeks after victory in the district by-election.

But in an interview with the Evening Mail, Mrs Harrison said she was looking forward to meeting with voters.

"Campaigning was a 12 hour a day, seven days a week job, but I really enjoy speaking to residents directly about what they want for our community," she added.

"It's been incredibly busy since the by-election, so I feel I'm actually in a stronger position because I know how I can use my position to get the best for Copeland."

Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats and MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, is to re-stand for election in the South Lakeland seat, with the NHS his campaign priority.

Mr Farron said: "It is a privilege to be the MP for the area I live in and love, and I am proud of the things we have achieved together over the last 12 years.

"Local people will judge me on my record fighting for the South Lakes."