TORFAEN councillor Cynthia Beynon will stand for the Croesyceiliog North ward in this year’s elections after her surprise de-selection in Panteg last July.

Cllr Beynon was not selected to stand for the ward she had represented since 2008 after members of the Griffithstown and Sebastopol branch of the Labour Party chose Anthony Hunt, David Yeowell and Cllr Norma Parrish from a shortlist of four.

Cllr Beynon, who has lived in Griffithstown for more than 27 years, said she was devastated by the news, which came as a real surprise.

“But after thinking it over I decided I do still want to stand as a councillor, and I will be staying with Labour,”

she said.

“People do not always stand for the ward they live in but I do at least have a connection to the area.”

She will now will be standing in place of Cllr Sarah Richards and alongside Cllr Richard Clark.

Cllr Beynon said she has fond memories of Croesyceiliog, having worked as a community service officer for 25 years.

She said: “I’m looking forward to supporting the community and the new challenge.

I’m a big believer in teamwork. If we work together we can do a lot.”

Cllr Clark said: “I work well with Cynthia on the council’s executive and I know how hard she works.

That commitment and enthusiasm will lessen the loss of long-standing councillor Sarah Richards.

“It will also benefit my community, which is where Cynthia spent part of her working life.”