CONSERVATIVES in West Devon and Torridge have set in motion the procedure for selecting a candidate to fight the next general election.

The party announced this week that the selection procedure culminates on July 4 when members will interview three shortlisted nominees and vote in a secret ballot.

The constituency's current Tory spokesman, Geoffrey Cox, is expected to apply for the seat. Mr Cox, a barrister, fought the seat at last year's general election and polled 40 per cent of the vote, just under 2,000 votes behind the sitting MP, Liberal Democrat John Burnett.

The MP's majority was down but both he and Mr Cox increased their parties' share of the vote.