Labour has selected its parliamentary candidate to replace a retiring MP.

On Sunday a meeting of party members in Holyhead selected Mary Roberts to become the successor candidate to Albert Owen, who recently announced his pending retirement having represented the island at Westminster since 2001.

Mary Roberts, who was brought up on the island and attended local schools in Holyhead and Bodedern, said, “It’s a great honour to have been chosen as the Labour candidate for Ynys Môn.

“I shall be attempting to build on the excellent work that Albert Owen has done for many years”

“My aim is to focus on issues of key importance to the island, including new high quality jobs, investment in training and education and more affordable and sustainable housing.”

“After years of austerity under the Conservatives, there is far too much poverty and inequality in Wales, and our education and NHS have been badly underfunded”

“I look forward to playing a role in the election of a Jeremy Corbyn led Labour government that will address these issues and be a world leader in tackling the climate emergency.”

The other candidates to have put forwards their candidature on the all-women shortlist were Hawarden community councillor, Gillian Brockley, and party activist Samantha Egelstaff.

Albert Owen MP said: “I congratulate Mary on winning the selection out of a strong field.

“Born and bred on the Island she has the compassion and ability to serve her home community.”

The seat, which has always been known as a marginal, has been a perennial target for both the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru.

Plaid has already selected former BBC journalist Aled ap Dafydd as its candidate, while the Brexit Party has announced Helen Jenner as their nominee for the island’s Westminster seat.