A Keighley town councillor has been selected by the Tories to fight for the Keighley East district council seat next year.

Riddlesden resident Ron Beale was one of five candidates vying for the right to represent the party at the next local elections.

At the Keighley Conservative headquarters, in North Street, the candidates gave presentations and fielded questions from a panel of residents.

Councillor Dorothy Clamp presided over the event and said she was pleased with the quality of the applicants. She said: “It has been marvellous to see such a wealth of talent wanting to step forward and be a voice for local people. Each person had so much to offer so it made the selection that much harder.”

Following his successful selection, Cllr Beale said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been chosen to work alongside Dorothy, as I have done in the past, and to be the next Conservative councillor in Keighley East Ward. I have always enjoyed listening to people and then finding solutions to their problems where I can.”

Cllr Beale currently represents Woodhouse and Hainworth Ward on Keighley Town Council.

No district council elections are scheduled for this year.