THE Conservatives in Chester have selected a parliamentary candidate they hope can topple Labour's Chris Matheson in the next General Election.

Samantha George, who works as an accountant, was brought up on a working-class council housing estate in Birmingham and was the first in her family to go to university.

She will have her work cut out trying to beat Mr Matheson though, who swept aside the last Tory candidate Will Gallagher by almost 10,000 votes in 2017.

After the selection at the weekend, she said: “I am delighted to be selected as the Conservatives Parliamentary Candidate for the City of Chester and its surrounding areas.

“It’s a great city and a wonderful part of the world, with fantastic heritage to be celebrated and enjoyed.

“I was first interviewed to be the parliamentary candidate in Chester in 2007 and am delighted to now have the opportunity to serve the people of Chester as their potential MP.

“I’ll be working across Chester and its villages and with our great Conservative councillors and activists to meet as many people as possible in the run up to the next election.

“Nationally, it’s clear we need a general election soon and I call upon Jeremy’s Corbyn’s MP in Chester to vote for one at the next opportunity.

“I’m backing Boris Johnson to Get Brexit done and to deliver our positive and exciting agenda of investment in our public services – the NHS, schools and police.

“Locally, I want to protect Chester’s great heritage and countryside, see more homes and more affordable homes be delivered, promote economic development to maximise employment prospects in Chester, ensure we help those in need, and cherish our villages and rural communities, for which accessible services are vital.

“I’ll be working with our Parliamentary and Cheshire team to ensure we get our fair share of investment in our public services too.

“I want to hear from about the priorities of local residents and will be out and about across all our communities and look forward to meeting you.”

Association Chairman Neil Sullivan said: “Samantha was overwhelmingly selected from a field of three excellent candidates at a crowded meeting and there has been a huge buzz of energy and excitement around her selection.

“The members were impressed by her energy, optimism and drive to get the best for Chester and look forward to our Parliamentary campaign.

“She’s also our first ever woman Parliamentary Candidate – and one selected on merit.”