Mr Mearns was chosen after a postal ballot of Labour Party members from across Gateshead constituency.

Mr Mearns, aged 52, will succeed Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland as the party’s candidate at the next General Election. Mr Mearns is currently Deputy Leader of Gateshead Council and a Councillor for Saltwell ward.

After his selection, Ian Mearns said: “I really felt it was important that the Constituency Labour Party had the chance to select a local person who cared passionately about the place and had fundamental understanding of the needs and aspirations of local people. I give a promise and a commitment of tireless work for Gateshead and for everyone that lives here.

“The people of Gateshead remember very well the consequences of a Tory government and we really must work hard to avoid that eventuality.”

David Clelland, Labour MP for Tyne Bridge added: “I am delighted at the decision. There is no-one more knowledgeable about Gateshead than Ian. He will make an excellent Member of Parliament for the town.”

Labour Party Members in Wansbeck yesterday chose Ian Lavery as their candidate for the next General Election.

Mr Lavery, aged 47 from Ashington, is married with two children. He is a former miner, starting out as a mining apprentice at Lynemouth Colliery before moving on to work at Ellington Colliery.

Since 2002, he has served as President of the National Union of Mineworkers.

He is also currently the Chairman of Ashington Community Football Club and Chairman of Hirst Welfare Centre.

Mr Lavery will be looking to succeed Labour Member of Parliament, Denis Murphy in Parliament.

After his selection, Ian Lavery said: “As a Wansbeck person all my life I am delighted at the overwhelming support I’ve received from local party members. The campaign starts now and I’m looking forward to the continued assistance of the local constituency party as we engage with the public in discussion and debate on local and national issues. With hard work, grit and determination this seat of Wansbeck will remain a solid Labour seat.”

Denis Murphy, Labour’s Member of Parliament for Wansbeck said: “There is no doubt that Ian Lavery is the right candidate for Wansbeck. He’ll take the fight to the Liberal Democrats locally and highlight the deficiencies of the Tories nationally. Ian’s background makes him ideally suited to understanding the challenges people face in Wansbeck. I am sure he will be a great asset in Parliament.”

Angela Brindley, Chair of Wansbeck Constituency Labour Party said: “We’re lucky to have had four good quality candidates wanting to represent Wansbeck and I’m pleased the constituency has chosen a local candidate who knows the area well. Ian is a marvellous choice for Wansbeck and I look forward to campaigning with him to retain the seat for Labour.”

Mrs Glindon, aged 53, will succeed current Labour MP, Stephen Byers as the party’s candidate. Mr Byers announced in November 2009 his intention to retire from Parliament after 18 years.

Mary Glindon, from Wallsend, is currently a Councillor on North Tyneside Council representing the ward of Battlehill.

She was selected by a postal vote of all eligible Labour Party members in the North Tyneside Constituency.

After the announcement, Mary Glindon, said: “I’m truly honoured to have been selected as Labour’s candidate for North Tyneside. Steve Byers is a hard act to follow; he was a big hitter in national politics but never took for granted the support of local people here in North Tyneside.

This area has enormous potential and I want to play a part in unlocking the talents of local people and making sure that more of our young people get the opportunities they deserve. The next General Election is hugely important for North Tyneside. I’m proud that our Labour Government hasn’t just stood by and watched people struggle during difficult times, we’ve taken action to help people stay in work, to keep people in their homes and we’ve kept investing in our public services. Now, we’re coming out of recession I want to make sure local people here get a fair deal. I can’t wait to get out there and campaign to return a Labour government at Westminster and win back seats from the Tories on North Tyneside Council.”

Councillor Eddie Darke, Secretary of North Tyneside Constituency Labour Party said:

“I’d like to congratulate Mary on becoming our new Candidate. I’d also like to thank all the candidates for taking part. It was an incredibly strong field with some excellent people on the short-list. The General Election could be just a few months away, so I know that Labour Members are anxious to get out there to campaign for Mary.

The people of North Tyneside have a choice between a Labour government committed to protecting front-line services and the Tories who would make deep cuts, threatening the economic recovery of this area and our local services. I’m looking forward to campaigning alongside Mary to make sure we return a Labour MP and a Labour Government.”

Councillor Jim Allan, Leader of the Labour Group on North Tyneside Council said:

“I’m happy we’ve got a local candidate who understands local issues. We’re looking forward to working with Mary to not only make her the next Labour MP for North Tyneside but also to expose the failings of the Tory Administration in North Tyneside.”

They made their choice at a hustings meeting held in Consett. Mrs Glass, from Lanchester, County Durham, aged 52, hopes to succeed long-serving Labour MP, Hilary Armstrong as the area’s Member of Parliament.

After the result, Pat Glass said:

“I am truly honoured to have been chosen by Labour Party members to be their candidate for North West Durham. Throughout this contest it has been clear that many people wanted a local person to succeed Hilary as the Labour Candidate. I was born in North West Durham and have continued to live here throughout my working life. I understand the area and the challenges we face. Labour has delivered a great deal of things for this constituency but there is still a lot to do. Throughout my working life, I’ve been involved in helping the most vulnerable children and I want to make a difference at Westminster in how we give our children the best start in life. Local people are also concerned about jobs and if elected I’ll do all I can to bring new job opportunities to the area.”

North West Durham MP, Hilary Armstrong said:

“This has been a really good contest with some strong candidates. I would like to congratulate Pat and I look forward to working with her over the next few months. I am sure she will make an excellent MP.”

North West Durham Constituency Labour Party Secretary, Brynnen Ririe said:

“I’d like to thank all the candidates who took part in the process. Members have took part in the selection to make sure we pick the very best candidate for the election. In Pat we have someone vastly experienced who will speak up loudly for the people of North West Durham.”

Catherine McKinnell, aged 33, a solicitor from Newcastle has been selected by Labour Party members in the constituency to be their candidate following the retirement of Doug Henderson MP. Mr Henderson announced in July that he would be stepping down from Parliament next year after 23 years in Westminster.

Catherine was born in Denton and grew up in the West End of Newcastle attending Comprehensive school in Fenham before graduating from Edinburgh University.

She currently works for a large Newcastle Law Firm specialising in employment law.

Catherine McKinnell said:

“It’s a huge honour to have been chosen by Labour members to contest Newcastle North. I was born and brought up in Newcastle and I’ve continued to live here. It’s home for my family. As a working mum, I know how challenging life is for families across the City at the moment. I’ve also seen first hand the real improvements Labour has made in the public services such as the NHS and schools.

We live in a great City but I know that things can be better and if elected I will work every day to help improve the lives of ordinary families here in Newcastle.”

Linda Wright, Chair of Newcastle North Constituency Labour Party said:

“Catherine will be an exceptional candidate and we’ll be campaigning hard between now and the General Election to make her the new MP for Newcastle North. She will bring real life experience to Westminster and will fight for fairness for everyone in Newcastle. For too long, we’ve been let down by the Lib Dem Council who aren’t giving the people of North Newcastle a fair deal. As someone who actually lives in the Constituency at the moment, Catherine will be a strong voice for the area.”

It follows announcements on Monday by David Cameron that he intends to restrict the Home Office’s budget to a 1 per cent real terms increase for 2009/10, which would require a cut of £160 million in just three months’ time.

Labour’s Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:

“David Cameron’s plans for sudden cuts in public spending would be equivalent to slashing the number of police officers in the North East by 183.

“As Home Secretary I know what an important role each of our police officers play in the North East. Labour are committed to maintaining a visible police presence on our streets there – since we came to power police numbers are up by more than 14,000 nationwide, alongside nearly 16,000 Community Support Officers.

“Despite talking tough on crime, the David Cameron’s Conservatives have repeatedly voted against Labour’s investment in law and order and the tough measures Labour has taken to fight crime.”

Labour’s Home Office Minister and Tynemouth MP, Alan Campbell added:

“It could mean 183 fewer police officers on the beat in communities across the North East – which would be a devastating blow to our region. I wonder what Mr Cameron’s colleagues in the region would say to local people to justify these cuts? I urge them to leave our police alone to get on with their important job and tell us where their cuts would fall.”

The vacancy occurred after the decision by Chris Mullin MP to retire from Parliament at the next General Election.

Julie Elliott, aged 45, is currently a Political Officer with the GMB Union.

Mum of four grown-up children, she is a local Sunderland Labour Party activist and Chair of Sunderland Central Labour Party.

Julie Elliott, said:

“It’s an honour to have been selected by the Labour Party to be their candidate for Sunderland Central. I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve the city I love and can’t wait to start campaigning for a Labour victory at the next General Election, whenever that may be.”

“Chris Mullin will be a hard act to follow. He is a national figure who fought hard to expose injustice. Locally he dedicated himself to Sunderland, fighting to improve the lives of people here. I would like to thank him for his hard work over many years.”

“Over the last 11 years of a Labour government real progress has been made but I know there’s still a lot to do if we are to improve opportunities for people in Sunderland. Over the next few months, I want to meet as many people in Sunderland Central as possible to hear their concerns and talk to them about how I can help.”

Dave Allan, Vice Chair of Sunderland Central Constituency Labour Party said:

“Members faced a hard choice between some excellent candidates on the short-list. I’m delighted that we’ve selected Julie. She will be a good MP for the City and will take the fight to the Tories, exposing their plans to give up on cities like Sunderland and proving that Labour is the best party to represent the people of Sunderland Central constituency.”