'A SELF-SELECTING' group of senior Tories have snubbed local candidates and women in their hunt for the Lancaster's parliamentary candidate, a former MP claims.

Four men from outside the area will go before party members tonight (Thursday), but four experienced local candidates missed out.

Former Blackpool North MP Harold Elletson said he and four other 'strong local candidates' had been left out in favour of a Member of the Scottish Parliament and three others.

Tory campaign director for Lancashire, James Fuke, said complaints had come from losing candidates, adding: "There is no great revolution." He suggested Mr Elletson had 'lost the plot.'

The four candidates are Ben Wallace MSP, London based Matthew Palmer, Cllr George Lee, from Rossendale and Hertfordshire Cllr Tobias Ellwood.

None would comment.

Mr Elletson, with Poulton-le-Fylde woman, Carolyn Abbott, former constituency chairman, Andrew Cumpsty and council Tory leader, James Airey, were amongst 41 potential candidates.

He said: "I think it is very bad for local democracy and the Conservative party when members don't get a choice that reflects what people really want.

"Why, when they had a good local woman candidate, such as Carolyn, did they choose people who are not from the area?

Mr Elletson says he will snub tonight' s meeting in protest at the absenCE OF local candidates and accused the selection committee, which he describes as 'largely self appointed' for the situation.

The process had to be re-run before the last election, he added.

Cllr Airey, who stood for Barrow in 2001, said: "Obviously I am disappointed that I did not get through to the next stage in the process.

I consider myself a strong local candidate but, at the end of the day, it is the selection committee's decision."

Mr Fuke added: "I'm sure, with this being Lancaster and Wyre, there will be a healthy turnout for the meeting and they will select the person they believe will make the best Member of Parliament for Lancaster and Wyre."