FORMER Bury MP Alistair Burt has launched a political comeback just three years after losing his seat.

He has been chosen to defend the safe Tory seat of North East Bedfordshire, where Sir Nicholas Lyell is standing down.

Mr Burt (45) represented Bury North for 14 years under the Conservatives, becoming social security minister in charge of the controversial Child Support Agency.

He was also given special responsibility for Manchester, before losing in the 1997 General Election to Labour's David Chaytor. After defeat, the BGS "old boy" found employment with head-hunting company Whitehead Mann.

Mr Burt, his wife Eve and their two children Hazel (14) and Matthew (12) moved to Bedford in 1998.

Mr Burt says he is delighted to have been chosen by the NE Bedfordshire Conservative Association as their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate.

He admits that both he and Eve had to think long and hard about trying to return to Parliament, but in the end could not resist it.

"I wanted to return to active political life because I still believe deeply in the Conservatism that I was brought up with in Bury," he said. "It is grass roots and practical common sense, with a desire for as little interference as is possible from the state, but with a strong sense of public duty towards those who need care and some help from others.

"I am also surprised and disappointed at how quickly the Labour Government has become out of touch and complacent, and, frankly, much like all other Labour Governments, except, until last week, with rather better PR. People deserve better."

Mr Burt added: "I genuinely loved being a constituency MP, and the people of Bury, Tottington and Ramsbottom were wonderful people to work for, and we will always be grateful for how we were treated. My family and I have friends for life there.

"To represent your home town is a great privilege, and to have been chosen to fight for the Conservative cause for our new home is an unexpected honour and surprise, which I will do my very best to justify."