THE UK Independence Party has selected its candidate to fight for the seat of Central Devon in next May's General Election.

Devon-born John Conway, 58, was educated at Torbay Boys' Grammar School, and spent most of his working life with HMRC in Launceston.

John said: 'I am just old enough to have voted NO in the 1975 referendum, but I have come to realise that, as Douglas Carswell confirms, the Tories are not serious about taking powers back from Brussels, let alone leaving the EU.

'I believe passionately that we should run our own country. UKIP is the only party which is serious about us regaining our sovereignty, and I'll do all I can to help bring this about.'

Bob Edwards, Central Devon chairman for UKIP and former mayor of Crediton, said: 'John is an intelligent family man with a lifetime of experience in the real world.

'He believes that talk should be followed up by actions.

'I look forward to seeing UKIP maintain its rapid progress right across the country, but especially in Devon and Cornwall.'