NIGEL Huddlestone has been selected as the Conservative party candidate for Mid Worcestershire at the next General Election.

The 43-year-old was selected after a US-style 'primary' last night in Pershore, where four candidates put forward their cases to take over the role from the retiring Peter Luff, who will stand down at the 2015 poll.

Born and raised in Lincoln, Mr Huddlestone studied politics and economics at Oxford University and has an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA in California.

Married with two children, the family lives in Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire but plans to move to the mid Worcestershire constituency.

Mr Huddlestone, who is industry head for travel at internet giant Google, was the Conservative candidate for Luton south at the 2010 General Election.

"I am absolutely delighted to have been selected as the candidate for mid Worcestershire this evening," he said.

"Trying to follow in the footsteps of the very popular and highly regarded Peter Luff will be no easy task, but I will work hard, take nothing for granted and fight for every vote in 2015.

"Thank you to everyone who turned up at the open primary this evening – and to everyone who has sent me messages."