MHK Bill Shimmins has announced he won’t be standing in the Keys general election in September.

He said: ’After much consideration, I have decided not to stand for the House of Keys election in September.

’My priority at this stage is to spend more time assisting my family. It has been a great privilege to represent the people of Middle and the island.’

It means that both the sitting MHKs for Middle - which encompasses Marown, Braddan and Santon - will not seek re-election.

Two candidates have so far come forward for the two seats.

They are Keiran Hannifin, a part-time cleaner, graphic designer and illustrator, and David Fowler, a self-employed landscape gardener who has stood in two previous elections but failed to win a seat.