Former TV journalist Fearghal McKinney has admitted he has a fight on his hands to win a Westminster seat after announcing his intention to stand for the SDLP in the coming general election.

The ex-Ulster Television political reporter will have to oversee a major change in fortunes for his new party if he is to capture Fermanagh and South Tyrone from incumbent Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew.

The SDLP trailed in fourth in the 2005 poll with only 14% of the vote. Its 7,230 tally was dwarfed by the 18,700 votes secured by Mrs Gildernew.

But the 47-year-old, who was raised in Fermanagh, insisted he was up for the challenge ahead.

Mr McKinney, who spent 25 years as a journalist, is the second high-profile media figure to enter the political fray since the new year, following his one-time UTV colleague Mike Nesbitt's decision to run for the Conservatives and Unionists in Strangford.

"This is a new era for politics and a new era for the SDLP," he said as he submitted his candidacy application to the party this morning.

"This country needs a strong SDLP and the people of the North need strong representation at Westminster."

With sitting SDLP Assembly member in the area Tommy Gallagher not putting his name forward for the Westminster poll, Mr McKinney should have a clear run at the party's nomination.

"This election will be won and lost on the doorsteps and I am keen to build on the good work of Tommy Gallagher and others in the weeks and months ahead," he added.

"I know I have a fight ahead of me to win the seat but I am looking forward to the challenge."