Tories select successor to Ancram

Ms Perry says she will campaign for better hospital facilities

Members of the Conservative Party in Wiltshire have chosen a successor to Michael Ancram who has been Devizes' MP for the past 18 years.

Mr Ancram, 64, said a recent bout of ill-health spurred him to make the decision, but he was also hit by MP expenses revelations.

Claire Perry, who will fight the seat in the next election, is campaigning for better hospital facilities.

In 2005 Mr Ancram polled 48.5% of the vote in the safe Tory seat.

The Devizes selection panel chose her from a shortlist of six hopefuls.

"As a local person I am determined to fight tirelessly for the issues that matter to us in the constituency, including the lack of minor injuries services in Savernake and Devizes hospitals," Ms Perry said.

Mr Ancram, who has been MP for Devizes, Wiltshire, since 1992, is one of a number of MPs to announce they are stepping down following the expenses revelations earlier this year - in his case the focus was on a claim for maintenance for a swimming pool boiler.