Winchester Conservatives have selected Steve Brine (32) to be their candidate to fight the next general election.

A local man, Steve was adopted by party members at a packed meeting on Wednesday at the Stripe Theatre, University of Winchester.

Steve, who currently runs a successful PR and Marketing firm specialising in the golf industry is a former radio journalist having spent time with the BBC and the Tribune Media Group in Chicago, USA. He is also a previous member of the Conservative Research Department in Westminster, which has proved the starting point for many political careers including that of Michael Portillo, George Osborne and David Cameron.

He said: "I am delighted and excited that local people have put their faith in me – I will not let them down".

"It is a very good time for the Conservative Party and just as I know David Cameron will do nationally, I will lead a campaign locally that is positive and shows Conservatives once again have proposals to tackle the problems we all face in our daily lives.

"This country is crying out for a new Conservative Government that will take our country in a new direction and I cannot wait to get on with the job here in Winchester.

Anthony Harding, Chairman of Winchester Conservatives said: "We had a very high calibre of applicants for the Winchester Constituency and are delighted that Steve has been selected as our Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. Steve is already well known and respected in the Constituency and we all look forward to working closely with him in winning back the seat for the Conservatives".