Two Southampton political heavyweights will be going head-to-head in June’s general election.

Simon Letts, who has been the leader of the Southampton City Council for the past four years, has been selected as the Labour Party candidate for the Southampton Itchen constituency.

He will be up against current MP Conservative Royston Smith, who is also a former city council leader.

Speaking about his nomination, Cllr Letts said: “I’m delighted to be chosen by Labour for Southampton Itchen, in an area where I’ve spent most of my adult life and also represented on the council as leader.

“I look forward to talking to voters about my vision to develop the economy of Southampton to ensure it’s a thriving city not only in Hampshire but also on the South Coast.

“We need more affordable homes for the people of Southampton which the prefab home factory vision at Swaythling will deliver and develop key infrastructure including local education and health care.”

Cllr Letts, who has been considering standing for Parliament for last several months, said Southampton Itchen deserved a strong local voice to ensure better representation in Westminster.

Meanwhile, several other nominations have also been made by parties ahead of the general election.

It is likely to be a close fight for the seat as current MP Mr Smith has held the Southampton Itchen seat since 2015 where he beat political journalist Rowena Davis with a small majority of 2,316 votes.

Mr Smith said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been chosen again to stand in the general election.

“It is a huge privilege to represent Southampton Itchen in Parliament and I have thoroughly enjoyed the last two years. I hope to be returned on June 8 to once again represent the people of the constituency.”

The Liberal Democrats have picked Eleanor Bell, who contested the seat for the Lib Dems back in 2015.

She said: “I will be campaigning to protect local NHS services, elderly care and mental health provision from Tory cuts, and maintain essential funding to

our schools and children’s services.”

Other political parties including UKIP and Green are expected to be choosing their candidates in the next week.

This year’s snap general election will take place on Thursday, June 8.