A BLACKHEATH councillor has joined the contest to be Labour's Greenwich and Woolwich parliamentary candidate at the next election.

Councillor Kevin Bonavia, who was elected to Lewisham Council for the first time in 2010, joins Annie Keys, David Prescott, Matthew Pennycook and Len Duvall on the list of people hoping to stand in Nick Raynsford's seat when the veteran MP stands down next year.

On his website he wrote: "I’m standing in this selection because I know this constituency, I know the community and I know the Labour Party.

"I grew up on the Ferrier Estate and joined Greenwich & Woolwich Labour Party when I was nineteen.

"I’ve worked at every election with Nick and our local councillors ever since. As a lawyer I represent people carrying out pro-bono work, standing up for people who can’t pay for justice."

The deadline for applications to be Labour's candidate for the ultra-safe seat expires on September 30. Final hustings take place on November 30.

Fellow hopeful Cllr Pennycook has also released an online video this week, setting out his campaign.