THE Conservative candidate for Stockton South for the next General Election has been selected.

Stockton-born Matt Vickers, who has worked locally in retail and construction, has vowed to campaign hard to regain the seat lost at the 2017 election.

The 35-year-old said: “I am honoured to be selected as the Conservative candidate for my home patch of Stockton South.

“Over the coming months, I will be taking the fight to Labour here in Stockton and taking them to task on their woeful record.

“Just 888 votes decided the outcome in 2017, and I am determined to turn Stockton South blue once again next time round. The stakes have never have been higher.”

Mr Vickers was elected as the councillor for Hartburn ward in 2015 and stood as the Conservative candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner in 2016.

He added: “As a Stockton councillor, I have seen and heard first-hand the issues that matter most."