Former West Lothian Council leader Morrice, 50, who has been a councillor in his ward for 22 years, received 60 per cent of the vote from the Livingston Local Constituency Party at a meeting last Sunday.

He was up against fellow Labour councillor John McGinty, who represents Bathgate, senior council facilities manager Gordon Connolly and former House of Commons worker Adenike Abimbola-Akindele from Hackney.

Being an MP has become a poisoned chalice in recent times following the expenses scandal which ruled out current Livingston MP Jim Devine from running again after he was de-selected by Labour over expense claims he made.

But despite the scrutiny of public life as an MP in Westminster, Mr Morrice is hoping voters at the general election will help him take the next step in his political career.

He said: "I am delighted to be selected to fight this seat for Labour. West Lothian is my home and has been for almost all my life.

"I have served as the leader of the council and understand our area well. The next election is a straight fight between Labour and the Tories, and people here know that a vote for the SNP will just let the Tories in by the back door.

"I remember what the Tories did to West Lothian and never want to go back to those days."

Experienced politician Morrice was council leader for 12 years until the SNP took power in 2007 and was at the helm when it was named UK council of the year in 2006.

He is currently leader of the West Lothian Labour Councillors Group and holds a number of positions on committees within West Lothian. He is also a spokesman for Cosla.

West Lothian's returning officer for the general election Alex Linkston, chief executive of the council, is urging residents who are not registered to vote to do so as the election must be held on or before 3 June.

Mr Linkston said: "If you are going to be away from home before 3 June you could also consider voting by post. Now is also the time to register for a Postal vote.

"A snap election is a possibility, so it's worth remembering that all applications to vote by post and to register to vote must be received 11 working days before polling day.

"It is therefore important that all eligible electors check that they are registered to vote now."

More information is available at www.westlothian.gov.uk/aboutmyvote.

Residents can also check whether they are registered on the electoral roll at Council Information Services centres.