A WELL-KNOWN councillor has been de-selected as Conservative candidate for Yarm on Stockton Borough Council.

Andrew Sherris, who has served as a councillor on the councill for two periods stretching over 21 years, will remain in his current role until next year's elections.

However, at a meeting on Tuesday the Yarm Conservative Association (YCA) voted to de-select Coun. Sherris.

Instead Julia Whitehill, currently chair of YCA and who works for Stockton South’s Conservative MP, James Wharton, will contest the seat.

Coun. Sherris said he was unhappy with the selection process and questioned whether Consevative members close to the MP should have been involved, adding: “I shall be asking Conservative Central Office to investigate".

Mr Wharton stressed he had no personal involvement in the selection process.

Ken Lupton, chairman of the Conservative Group on Stockton Borough Council, chaired the meeting and said it was matter for branch members.

He praised the work Coun. Sherris had done. He said: “Andrew was a very good ward councillor as far as I am concerned.”

Coun Sherris also won support from fellow Yarm councillor, Mark Chatburn, Ukip, who said: “Andrew Sherris is an excellent local councillor and advocate for Yarm, and he is highly regarded by other councillors from across the political spectrum.”

Another well-known Conservative councillor, Jennie Beaumont, was de-selected by the branch before the 2011 elections.

The latest news follows the recent resignations of two Conservative members of Yarm Town Council, Chris Johnson and Jason Hadlow.

Former Tory councillor Mark Chatburn has also stood down from the town council but will take the opportunity to re-fight the seat under the Ukip banner.

It’s likely the parish council by-election will be fought on Thursday, April 24, although that has not been confirmed.