FELICITY Goodey is understood to be out of the running in the race to become the next chairman of the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

The M.E.N. understands Peel Holdings’ deputy chairman Robert Hough is now the only known contender.

A formal announcement is expected to be made in the House of Commons before the parliamentary recess begins later this month.

Ms Goodey and Mr Hough were interviewed for the post, which carries a salary of £80,510 a year for a three-day week.

The current chairman is Bryan Gray, who was due to stand down last year until Business Secretary Lord Mandelson announced in November that he and six chairmen of other regional development agencies would remain in post until December this year to provide continuity during the economic crisis.

Both Ms Goodey and Mr Hough were candidates last year and had to re-apply following the postponement.

A spokesman for the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform said he could not comment, pending a formal statement in the House of Commons.

Ms Goodey, a former TV presenter, is now chairman of the Central Salford Urban Development Company and has been the driving force behind many of the city’s regeneration schemes.