Labour has decided on their complete trio of candidates in Stoke-on-Trent ahead of the next election.

The party announced on Tuesday that Dr Allison Gardner will challenge Conservative MP Jack Brereton at the ballot box in the Stoke-on-Trent South.

Gareth Snell will contest Stoke-on-Trent Central against Tory candidate Dr Chandra Kanneganti, and David Williams will attempt to win the seat of Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis.

Dr Gardner is already a familiar name to many in North Staffordshire, having previously served as a councillor in Newcastle-under-Lyme and as chair of the local Labour party there.

She was campaign coordinator for the 2017 general election in Newcastle-under-Lyme, too, where Labour held onto the seat with a wafer thin majority of just 30 votes.

She was also active in the campaign to save Bradwell Community Hospital.

Dr Gardner currently works with the NHS as a senior scientific adviser on artificial intelligence.

Dr Gardner previously served as a councillor in Newcastle-under-Lyme and as chair of the local Labour party (Image supplied).

She is a director of Women Leading in AI and works internationally with organisations such as the UN to advocate for the ethical use of artificial intelligence.

Earlier in her career she spent more than two decades as a science teacher in secondary schools, and at the same time completed a PhD in molecular biology.

She then lectured at Keele University, leading the data science degree apprenticeship programme.

She was born in Singapore – where her father, who was in the Royal Navy, was stationed – but was raised by her Irish mother, who was a factory manager.

Commenting on being chosen as a Labour candidate , she said: "I am so honoured to be selected to fight the next election for Stoke-on-Trent South.

"I am determined to work hard to win the election and bring about the change everyone is crying out for.

"If elected, I promise I will be the effective and caring MP we need and will fight hard for this constituency. We need change and I will work to bring hope and prosperity back to Stoke South.

"I have so many ideas and goals – I believe we can turn education round in Stoke South and give our children a real future.

"I want to capitalise on Labour's plans to put Britain at the forefront of the new green technology industry and I will make sure I fight for our fair share of investment and opportunity.

"I also really want to support our farmers who have been hit very hard by Tory mismanagement.

"We need to promote local produce and build Britain's resilience and food security, just as much as we need to ensure our energy security.

"And, of course, my other focus is the NHS and a reform of primary care so people can get the support and care they need – when and where they need it.

"I care a lot about this constituency and have such vision and hope for it."

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