Former council leader Ken Bodfish could stay in politics and fight for his seat in next year's local elections.

Councillor Bodfish was deselected by Labour earlier this year, meaning he would not be able to fight next May's elections after representing Queen's Park Ward on Brighton and Hove City Council for more than 30 years.

However, he could be welcomed back into the Labour fold following the sudden withdrawal of his replacement David Harvey.

Coun Bodfish, who resigned as leader of the city council and Labour group in January to become chairman of the Sussex Partnership NHS Trust, is one of four candidates shortlisted to represent the Queen's Park Ward.

Coun Bodfish hinted he would not give up his role as Trust chairman if he is reselected tonight.

He said: "That's not an issue I am prepared to comment on at the moment."

However, he added: "I am standing to be a back bench community councillor. I'm not interested in being a senior councillor in terms of chairing committees and, therefore, being a community councillor is a job which can be combined with other responsibilities as the majority of other councillors do."

News of his possible reselection has divided opinion among his colleagues.

Labour councillor Francis Tonks said: "I think we need a new candidate in Queen's Park, a fresh face would be good."

His colleague Jack Hazelgrove added: "He did leave the council meeting early last week and he has not been to one or two other meetings but people have told me he has not been particularly well."

Green councillor Simon Williams said: "It is interesting that Ken is now expressing an interest in serving the people of Queen's Park. It's a shame that his commitment does not appear to have been as strong in the last few months as one might have expected from a councillor seeking re-election."

Coun Bodfish told The Argus he was in good health.

The other candidates are:

Daniel Yates, former Adur District Council leader and last year's general election candidate for Worthing and East Shoreham, who has since moved to Brighton.

Malcolm Prescott, who stood as a Labour candidate in the 2003 local elections.

Penny Gilbey, daughter of former Brighton councillor George Humphrey.

About 50 Labour party members will meet in a pub tonight to choose the candidate who will stand in Queen's Park in the May elections along with councillors Delia Forester and Simon Burgess, the new city council leader.

Mr Harvey, former Pride chairman and co-owner of gay magazine 3Sixty, stood down as a candidate last month citing unforseen circumstances and business commitments.