MACCLESFIELD is one step closer to choosing Sir Nick Winterton’s MP Conservative successor.

The final line-up of candidates will be selected on Monday night (September 28) ready to be put up for your votes.

Macclesfield Conservative Association will have narrowed down an original long list of more than a hundred applicants to between four and six by the end of several hours of intense interviewing, during a private meeting at Macclesfield Town Hall.

They will then go before voters in an "open primary" election at Fallibroome High School on Saturday, October 17.

Association chairman David Freear said whether it was four or six depended on the quality of candidates interviewed.

"We want to put forward any that we think suitable to represent Macclesfield so it is possible that all those we interview will go on to the ballot," he said.

Voters who register to attend the open primary election will have the chance to question the final line up of candidates, half of whom must be women under new party rules - on the day.

The winner, who will be Macclesfield’s prospective Conservative candidate at the next general election, must receive more than 50 per cent of the vote.

Candidates bidding to replace Sir Nick include former UN commander, Colonel Bob Stewart, and former TV presenter Merryn Myatt.

n SIR Nick Winterton has revealed he will not be endorsing any candidate in the race to be his successor.

Macclesfield’s stalwart MP, who will have held his seat for 39 years when he stands down next year, spoke to the Express for the first time in several months last week during a day of constituency events, declaring he remained as busy as ever.

"When I stood there were 198 candidates. I am not endorsing anybody," he said. "I shall be 72 next March and I reckon nearly 39 years is a pretty good stint. There is no let up at all. I am hectically busy.

"We (with wife Lady Winterton) are as much in demand as we always havebeen."