Highgate councillor Sally Gimson insists she is now fully focussed on next week’s council election after failing in her bid to stand as a Sheffield MP.

Cllr Gimson made the final shortlist of four candidates to stand in the safe Labour seat of Sheffield Heeley, where MP Meg Munn is stepping down at next year’s general election.

At a final hustings on Saturday, Sheffield Labour members selected Louise Haigh as their new Sheffield Heeley candidate, ahead of Cllr Gimson and two other female candidates.

Cllr Gimson said: “A lot of people in Highgate have said they are pleased to have me back. If you want to be an MP, you have to go for seats. You don’t always get it first time.

“I’m now concentrating on Highgate and being a good councillor in Highgate.”