The MHK for Ayre Eddie Teare is to defend his House of Keys seat in this year's general election.

Mr Teare was elected unopposed at the last election in 2006 and told constituents he would fight to retain the seat in a newsletter on Friday.

He is currently minister at the Department of Education and Children, and before that was DHSS minister.

Mr Teare says there is 'work still to do', both in parliament and the constituency, and wants to see through a number of projects, including a proposed housing development in Bride.

Eddie Teare was first elected to represent Ayre at a by-election in 2004, before which he was a manager at Isle of Man Bank.

He lives at the Lhen in Kirk Andreas.

Liberal Vannin Party candidate Pat Ayres had already declared his intention contest the Ayre seat.