THE LABOUR Party has been quick to find a new parliamentary candidate for South East Cornwall after its original choice backed out, saying he "didn't have the time''.

The new candidate hoping to win against the odds is Michael Sparling, who went to primary school in nearby Launceston.

Bill Stevens, Labour councillor for Devonport, was due to contest the seat having been selected in 2008. He said last week that he had pulled out in late December.

"I didn't have the time to commit to South East Cornwall in the end,'' he said.

"The seat wasn't high on the winnable list.

"Pulling out is never a nice thing to do, but in the end the voters of Devonport come first.''

Mr Stevens stood for election in the seat in 2001, when he came a poor third with 6,429 votes behind the Liberal Democrat Colin Breed (23,756), and the Conservatives (18,381).

New candidate Mr Sparling (27) said it was a privilege to be selected to fight for South East Cornwall.

"Whether it's the tolls, the incinerator or the state of our roads, I know that the current fight between the Tories and Lib-Dems in Cornwall is leaving people left out in the cold.

"With under 90 days until the expected day of the General Election, I pledge to be campaigning every day to make sure that I am not only fighting on local issues but also listening to local people's concerns.''

Mr Sparling now lives near Tavistock and is a post graduate student working for an airline company.

Present MP Colin Breed is standing down at the next General Election with the Lib Dems choosing Karen Gillard as the party candidate.

The other candidates are: Sheryll Murray (Conservative), Roger Creagh-Osborne (Green), Stephanie McWilliam (UKIP), and Glenn Radshaw (Mebyon Kernow).