CHESTER MP Christine Russell will attempt to win a fourth term at the next general election in 2009 or 2010.

Ms Russell, who was elected in 1997, is the first Labour member for Chester and the first woman to win the seat.

The contest is likely to be a re-run of the 2005 general election, in which Tory candidate Paul Offer came a close second, leaving her with a majority of just 915 compared with 10,553 in 1997.

Explaining her decision to stand again, Ms Russell said: 'One thing is that although we have achieved a great deal we still have a lot to do and I still have the enthusiasm and energy to carry on. I still have a passion for politics.'

She added: 'If you compare Chester now to Chester 10 years ago there has been significant progress if you look at the levels of employment, the state of the health service, schools and the rest of it.'

Asked about the electoral challenge which lies ahead, she said: 'I'm an optimist by nature.'

Brian Crowe, chairman of Chester Conservative Association, said: 'We welcome the general election whenever it comes and whoever is standing.

'We are confident that our ideas, our values and our plans for Britain and Chester will win through.

'Already thousands of people are turning to Chester Conservatives at local elections and long may that continue.'