REMARKABLE Crewe and Nantwich MP Gwyneth Dunwoody is bidding to create history by sitting in Parliament well into her eighties, with supporters rubbishing a claim she is 'too old'.

Veteran Mrs Dunwoody, 76, has been chosen by Labour to stand again at the next General Election.

The decision has been greeted with praise and the unanimous support from local Labour branches and affiliated trade unions but has been branded a 'big mistake' by the Conservative leader of Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council, Brian Silvester.

Mrs Dunwoody is already the 'mother of the House of Commons' as the longest-serving woman MP. She has represented the people of Crewe since 1974 and the Crewe and Nantwich constituency since 1983.

With the next General Election expected to be called in either 2009 or 2010, should she win and serve another full term, Mrs Dunwoody would potentially be 84 when she is next challenged.

Willaston ward councillor Mr Silvester said: 'I am amazed by Mrs Dunwoody's decision.

'The people of Crewe and Nantwich do not want an 84-year-old MP. It is about time there was a change.'

Crewe and Nantwich Labour Party chairman Peter Cameron stressed: 'Her age is irrelevant given the marvellous and tireless work she has done over the years.

'She is in good health and I really can't speak highly enough of her. She is a proud champion for the Crewe and Nantwich constituency.'

Mrs Dunwoody said: 'I am certainly not ageist and I have never thought about retiring.

'Crewe and Nantwich keeps me going and it is nice to know that I still have the support of my party and the public.'

Secretary of Crewe and District National Pensioners Association, Hugh Emerson, has praised Mrs Dunwoody's decision.

He said: 'A person's suitability for a job should depend on their ability and not their age.

'If the public disagree with Mrs Dunwoody's policies and her campaigns then they have every right to vote against her in the election, but not on the grounds of age.

'It is hard enough for people over 60 to find work nowadays and because of the pension crisis the Government is supposed to be encouraging people to work past retirement age.

'Attacking an MP isn't helping the situation. Cllr Silvester should be encouraging older workers to continue and not criticising them, whatever their profession.'