The battle lines are drawn in Altrincham and Sale after the Conservative Party candidate was chosen for the next election.

It comes after the MP for the area Graham Brady announced his intention to stand down from the role after some 26 years.

At a meeting of members over the weekend Magic Circle lawyer Oliver Carroll was chosen over two other prospects.

He will attempt to do what Sir Graham did six times and hold the seat against a Labour Party candidate who on this occasion will be Ashton on Mersey councillor Ben Hartley.

Mr Carroll, who was raised in Hale Barns and who was schooled at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, said: "I'm delighted to be selected as a candidate in my home town. 

"Sir Graham has done and continues to do an excellent job as our area's MP and I'll do everything I can to make sure I can step into his shoes at the next election.

"Until the next election, I'll work to show people I'm the right person to become their MP and to help to improve lives of families right across the constituency.

"Altrincham and Sale needs a Conservative MP fight for their interests and to help to improve lives in our community."

Although the majority for the Conservative Party at the last election was more than 6,000, the polls suggest the seat is under pressure from the Labour Party at the next election, which must be called before the end of next year.

At the time of writing Electoral Calculus puts the party's chance of winning for the first time since the creation of the constituency as high as 80 per cent. The Green Party candidate is Geraldine Coggins while the Lib Dem candidate is unknown.

In a statement to The Messenger at the time he announced his intention to stand down, Sir Graham said: "Representing my hometown in the House of Commons has been an immense privilege for which I will always be grateful.

"My colleagues in the House of Commons have also given me the unique opportunity of chairing the 1922 Committee for longer than anyone else in its 100-year history. I will continue to serve until the end of the parliament, if they want me to."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.