REGIONAL transport leader Mark Dowd was last night granted an 11-hour reprieve that could save his political career - and allow him to retain his position as chairman of Merseytravel.

Cllr Dowd has been selected to contest a recently-vacated Labour stronghold seat in Sefton's St Oswald ward, in Netherton, at the coming local elections this June.

The decision comes four months after the veteran politician was controversially ousted from his current Derby seat in Bootle by his local Labour group after a bitter feud with fellow ward councillor John Rice.

The shock de-selection last November meant he would have had to step down from his pivotal role at Merseytravel, as without a seat he would be ineligible to hold the chairmanship.

Last night, Cllr Dowd, whose brother Peter Dowd and cousin James Mahon have already been selected to contest their current St Oswald seats, told the Daily Post: "I'm looking forward to working in the ward, if elected. I know the area and I know the people." The Labour Party last night dismissed allegations that the selection process was effectively a "shoo-in" to re-instate Cllr Dowd before this June's elections, after his only challenger was 80-year-old Connie McCarthy.

The retired Usdaw representative, a councillor in Formby until she was ousted by the Tories in 2000, was the only other candidate shortlisted from a list of 14 possibles, at the March 17 AGM.

An anonymous source claimed local Labour members had complained they were not told about the crucial meeting early enough.

Party rules state members should be notified of any AGM 14 days in advance.

Last night Cllr James Mahon, Labour group secretary in Netherton, said the letters were not sent out until March 9, but told the Daily Post: "I have had no complaints from members."