Chris Kennedy has withdrawn from the Makerfield by-election just hours after being announced as the Green Party's candidate for the constituency.

Kennedy, who works as a nurse, was selected by local Green Party members following a hustings process. The selection was announced earlier in the day before his subsequent withdrawal from the contest.

The rapid sequence of events represents an unusual development in the campaign for the Makerfield seat. The Green Party has not yet announced a replacement candidate or provided details about the reasons for Kennedy's withdrawal.

The Makerfield constituency will now see one fewer candidate in the upcoming by-election, with other parties expected to continue their campaigns as planned. The Green Party will need to decide whether to field an alternative candidate before nomination deadlines.