ONE of the Labour party's leading councillors has been snubbed by his own party.

After 12 years representing the inner-city ward of St Lukes, Councillor Paul Jenks has failed to be selected for next May's local elections.

Boundary changes mean St Lukes is being replaced in April 2002 with a new Bevois ward.

A selection meeting to decide the Labour names for the new inner-city voting area - which comprises most of the old St Lukes ward plus the Northam estate from the old Bargate ward - failed to pick Councillor Jenks, who is the executive member for housing and regeneration.

Instead Bargate councillors Jacqui Rayment and Derek Burke were chosen along with Councillor Stephen Barnes Andrews who currently represents Freemantle.

Labour insiders revealed Cllr Jenks, who is in charge of the city's £80m regeneration scheme, failed to make it on the list for the final selection meeting when grassroots Labour members decided who would represent them - and now he must see if any other wards will take him.

A favourite is set to be the newly-created Swaythling ward - although political pundits believe this is likely to be a gain for the Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Jenks, who is well known for his tough talking approach in the council chamber, has had a controversial career at the Civic Centre. He has presided over the multi-million pound regeneration of the city centre area - and was responsible for the £80,000 Shear statue dubbed by locals as nothing more then a "giant cheese grater."

He has come in for most criticism over his handling of the Bellway housing development in St Mary Street and was vilified by locals for allowing the area to fall into decline to make way for new executive homes.

Cllr Jenks told the Daily Echo: "Nobody is a sitting councillor this time round because of the new boundaries.

"Two wards have completed the selection process and there are another 14 to go. All councillors have put their names forward to be on the panel of candidates."

He refused to comment on the Bevois selection and would not be drawn on which other seats he planned to contest.

At the local elections in May there will be 16 wards. The new Swaythling ward has been created from part of the old Bassett and Bitterne Park wards.

The city's growing population meant it was time to re-examine the boundaries and create three new councillors to represent local residents.