The Reverend Al Sharpton, a controversial civil rights campaigner, has launched a bid for the US presidency.

The firebrand preacher joins five other men who have declared themselves as candidates to be the Democratic Party's choice to challenge George W Bush in next year's election.

REVEREND AL SHARPTON

Stood for elected office three times, defeated each time Founder and president of National Action Network civil rights group 48 years old Married with two daughters Lives in Brooklyn, New York

Mr Sharpton formally filed his papers and became the first African-American to seek the Democrat nomination for 12 years.

He said he would reach out to disaffected voters, including Hispanic Americans, blacks, gays, lesbians and young people.

Mr Sharpton, who has never held elected office, said he was the only candidate who is "anti-war, anti-death penalty, anti-tax cut across the board".

He said the upcoming presidential battle would be a key event.

"I think that the campaign that we are beginning to officially embark upon will change American politics," he said.

"The Democratic Party cannot win unless it expands its base."

Brutality claims

Mr Sharpton - who preached his first sermon at the age of four and was ordained as a minister at nine - has been outspoken on many local and national issues, most notably on police brutality.

Correspondents say he has been a controversial figure since he made his name in 1987 supporting a 15-year-old black girl who said she had been kidnapped and raped by white men. Inquiries later showed her claims were untrue.

He also served 90 days in a federal jail for protesting against the US military bombing the tiny Puerto Rican island of Vieques.

Mr Sharpton's declared opponents in the Democrat race are:

• Howard Dean, former Governor of Vermont
• John Edwards, North Carolina Senator
• Richard Gephardt, Missouri Representative
• John Kerry, Massachusetts Senator
• Joseph Lieberman, Connecticut Senator