A TV PRESENTER and a former British UN commander are believed to be among the candidates lining up to replace Sir Nick Winterton as Macclesfield's next Conservative MP.

Colonel Bob Stewart, who led British UN forces in Bosnia, and an unnamed television newsreader feature in a clutch of famous faces in the running at the next General Election.

Darryl Beckford, deputy chairman of Macclesfield Conservative Association, believes as many as 200 people will apply, with a winner chosen from a final shortlist of six - three of which must be women - as early as NEXT MONTH.

And under major selection changes by Conservative head office, the selection could be opened up to all eligible voters in an American-style "open primary".

"It would be an open primary which means anyone who registers to vote can vote for who the candidate is. It will be exciting and is really good for democracy to get everyone involved," said Darryl.

"Everyone thinks they have got a shot. I wouldn't be surprised if there are a couple of local candidates in the shortlist and I know of a number of celebrity candidates who would like to represent Macclesfield. There is a TV presenter and it seems Bob Stewart is expected to apply.

"It is a very short process and the vote could be at the end of September. We are expecting up to 200 people to apply, which is a lot of CVs. It is a lot of work under the new rules."

Whether Macclesfield gets a dramatic "open primary" polling day similar to those which got Barack Obama elected in America will be decided by Conservative Party chairman Eric Pickles. He is known to favour them over the other option - a vote among Macclesfield Conservative Party members only.

"To the outsider it is seen as a safe seat," said Darryl, who has not ruled out standing himself. "The local association usually favours local candidates but you wouldn't just pick someone local if they are inadequate."

Anyone on the Conservative Party's approved national list of candidates can apply. The deadline is noon on Friday, September 3.  Whoever makes the final shortlist will then be chosen by a Macclesfield Conservative Association panel of six members.

The make up of the panel must include chairman David Freear and deputies Darryl Beckford and Val Lipworth. The other three names will be chosen on September 7.

Col Bob Stewart, 60, once led the Cheshire Regiment and has been approved as a Conservative candidate for Parliament.

Leader David Cameron re-opened the approved list to new applicants in the wake of the expenses scandal.

The Express revealed last week that a coalition of upto 25 independent candidates - standing on an anti-sleaze platform - is being gathered by former Tatton MP Martin Bell and former Bollingtonian Terry Waite.