Tories hold US-style primary

Ms Bruce is the first Tory candidate selected through a "primary" vote

A solicitor has become the first UK parliamentary candidate to be selected in a United States-style "primary" election.

Fiona Bruce was elected by members of the public to represent the Conservatives in the Warrington South constituency in Cheshire.

The local Tory party had invited anyone living in the constituency to vote for who they thought should be its candidate in the next general election.

They risked letting political opponents pack the meeting hall and trying to vote for the weakest candidate.

But the BBC's Political Editor in the North West, Jim Hancock, said there was little evidence of this on Wednesday night.

About 300 residents took part in the election.

Ms Bruce said: "I've experienced tonight how much people want to have a candidate that they have selected, that they feel is one of their own to represent them."

She will need to overturn a 7,000 Labour majority to win the seat.