Conservatives in Colchester have started their search for a candidate to contest the town's seat at the next general election.

The Conservative Association has advertised the post with central office and would-be MPs have until November 5 to register.

At a meeting of the executive council this week a constituency selection committee was established with Ian McCord as chairman.

A shortlist of candidates will be presented to the council in late November and it will recommend final candidates to be selected at an association meeting on December 3.

Mr McCord said: "Colchester is a highly marginal constituency which I am confident will be returned to the Conservatives at the next General Election."

Party agent Rona Hammond, said the seat was a realistic target for the party.

"We are looking foward to choosing our candidate and a General Election may not be that far away," she added.

BBC Essex journalist Kevin Bentley confirmed he was applying for selection.

"Colchester is my home town and I would be very proud to represent it as the Tory MP, I am throwing my hat into the ring," he added.

The Colchester seat was won by Bob Russell in May 1997 with a majority of 1,581.

Colchester Liberal Democrats will not select their candidate until next year in line with the party's constitution.

Stephan Shakespeare, who contested the Colchester seat in 1997 said he had not ruled himself out and would make a decision nearer the deadline.

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