A PROMINENT Tory MP who was deselected after a long-running feud with her constituency association has announced she will not battle to retain her seat.

Thirsk and Malton MP Anne McIntosh said she had agonised over whether to stand as an independent candidate, but after examining the support she could expect to receive thought she could end up with "mud on my face, burning bridges with no friends".

The chairman of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee said she had feared splitting the vote in the safe Conservative seat, in what would be a "difficult and divisive" election.

Miss McIntosh, who is thought to retain a large group of supporters, particularly among the farming community after 18 years as a North Yorkshire MP, said it had been an emotional decision to leave the House of Commons.

She told a press conference at Pickering Conservative Club that Kevin Hollinrake, who has been selected by the constituency association to succeed her, should be backed by Conservatives.

Ms McIntosh, who grew up in Middleton-in-Teesdale, said: "I do not wish to become the story in what I expect to be a tightly fought general election.

"I am deeply grateful to all my supporters, and bear no ill-will to those who engaged in a democratic process to change their parliamentary candidate.

"The best thing I can do for the party which for 26 years has supported me as an elected member is my level best to help in what will be challenging circumstances [during the election]."

She said she would canvass for the party ahead of the election wherever she was needed and expected to work in marginal constituencies, and in particular with Stockton South MP James Wharton.

When asked if she had been offered a seat in the House of Lords, the 60-year-old denied that that she had been approached about it, adding: "I would like to continue in some shape or form in politics."

She added she intended to continue campaigning on rural issues and hoped to work with the Dispensing Doctors Association.

Reacting to the announcement, the association, the previous leaders of which claimed Miss McIntosh had ignored them, issued a one-line statement wishing her well for the future.

Liberal Democrat candidate for the seat Di Keal said Miss McIntosh had been treated badly by the party hierachy and claimed many Tory voters in the constituency intended to make protest votes as a result.