THE Brexit Party has announced its candidates for the three Bolton constituencies as the possibility of an early general election grew.

With Parliament deadlocked on how to leave the European Union and Prime Minister Boris Johnson threatening to call a snap poll as early as October 15, UKIP founder Nigel Farage's new party is fast tracking the selection of its political hopefuls.

Company director Paul Brierley will stand in marginal Bolton West, currently held by Tory Chris Green with a majority of 936 votes.

Building company boss Trevor Jones is to contest the town's North East constituency which veteran Labour MP David Crausby won by 3,797 votes two years ago.

Kearsley ward's Cllr Mark Cunningham will take on Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi in Bolton South-East where she had a majority of 13,126 in 2017.

Mr Brierley, a 60-year-old widower with a son and three grandchildren, was born and educated in the town.

A qualified quantity surveyor and a Karate Black Belt, he served as a councillor for Bradshaw ward between 2002 and 2012.

He said: "I believe my life and work experience gives me a well-balanced view of the challenges faced by the electorate.

“I firmly believe that politicians are not listening or understanding the voice of the people and are perverting the democratic trust which has been bestowed upon them. The Brexit party is a party of common sense encompassing people from all walks of life who feel like I do.

“I appreciate it would be a tremendous honour to represent my fellow Boltonians in Parliament.”

Mr Jones, 56, is the director and sole owner of Bolton-based Britannia Building Services.

He said: “I have been interested in politics since I was a school boy and I firmly believe in Brexit and feel that democracy has been betrayed by our Westminster politicians. The 17.4 million people who voted to leave the EU are being blatantly disregarded.

“Having run a successful business I now have the time and drive to campaign full-out for Brexit."

Cllr Cunningham has represented Kearsley since 2016 and defected from UKIP to the Brexit Party last month.

He said: “My concern is that ultimately there are MPs of both of the main parties, the Labour and Tory parties, who have voted Remain against the wishes of their constituents. And where the MPs are sitting in a seat where their constituents voted overwhelmingly to leave, I think that’s quite hypocritical.”