Martin McGuinness quits as Mid-Ulster MP

THE date has now been set for the Mid-Ulster Westminster by-election.

Sitting MP Martin McGuinness has formally stepped down and voters in Mid-Ulster will go to the polls on Thursday, March 7.

Sinn Fein MLA Francie Molloy is expected to be the favourite to retain the seat.

The UUP and DUP have yet to decide on whether to put up a united unionist candidate to oppose Molloy.

The local Ulster Unionist association has called a meeting for the next week to elect a candidate.