Senior Suffolk county councillor Richard Rout has been chosen as Conservative candidate in the new cross-border Waveney Valley constituency.

Mr Rout, 44, missed out on selection in the West Suffolk seat vacated by Matt Hancock earlier this year.

But now he will be given the chance to win the new seat that includes part of north Suffolk and south Norfolk - including Diss, Bungay, Stowupland, Harleston and Halesworth.

The seat is also being eyed by the Green Party as one of its top four targets in the country - party co-leader Adrian Ramsay is hoping to build on his party's success in this year's local council elections in  Mid Suffolk and East Suffolk.

However most election experts see Waveney Valley as one of the safer Conservative seats in the country and Mr Rout is planning to work hard across the constituency.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been selected to stand in Waveney Valley and I shall be working very hard to meet people."

There had been speculation that candidates with high-profiles in either Norfolk or Suffolk might find it difficult to win selection because of suspicion from members in the other county - but in the event Mr Rout did win enough support.

Among his priorities will be seeking to ensure improved connectivity around the constituency, especially public transport. 

He wants to increase the number of good-quality jobs in the area to boost the economy generally.

The housing situation needs to improve - especially for young people and those on limited budgets.

And he plans to join the MPs who are trying to persuade National Grid to develop an offshore power grid and not build a new line of pylons across the countryside.

The general election is expected to be held in October next year, although it is still possible it could be held in May.

Mr Rout said: "To be honest my job is to ensure we are ready whenever it is called - I don't have any better idea than anyone else but I shall be working hard to ensure we do as well as possible.