A YORK estate agent has been chosen to succeed deselected MP Anne McIntosh as Conservative candidate in Thirsk and Malton.

Kevin Hollinrake, from Easingwold, was selected from a shortlist of two men and two women. Local party members were in a balloted in a special meeting held yesterday evening at York Racecourse, which ran long into the night.

Mr Hollinrake, 50, is Managing Director and co-founder of Hunters Estate Agents, and current vice-chair of governors at Easingwold School.

A keen sportsman, he plays rugby union, cricket and golf and enjoys socialising and reading.

He will stand for the Conservative Party in the Thirsk and Malton constituency at next year’s general election.

After his selection, Mr Hollinrake said: “I am delighted to have been selected as the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Thirsk and Malton.

“It is a very important seat and I will now be working very hard to ensure it remains a Conservative seat so I will be able to represent people of Thirsk and Malton in Parliament.

He added: “I want to work hard to help the Conservative Party secure a majority Government in 2015 to build on the great things achieved by David Cameron and the party since the last election.”

Miss McIntosh attended the three hour meeting as a member of the Thirsk and Malton Conservative Association. She lost an automatic reselection battle in February this year, and has since refused to make any definite public announcement about her political future.

Speaking last week, she said she was extremely proud to be the only female Conservative MP to represent a Yorkshire and the Humber seat.