Ann Steward focuses on small businesses, apprenticeships and mobile phone coverage at campaign launch for north Norfolk parliamentary seat

Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate Ann Steward launches election campaign at Sheringham Community Centre. Picture: SABAH MEDDINGS (Image: Archant)

Mrs Steward told colleagues and supporters in Sheringham she was unafraid of challenges, and was determined to 'turn north Norfolk blue again'.

'I have been known as the Pocket Rocket and if you find an issue I want to tackle it,' said Mrs Steward.

'I am committed totally to north Norfolk and have worked very closely with people in the area already.'

With her husband Andrew a farmer, Mrs Steward said she understood the difficulties of small businesses and how much red tape there was. 'Lets support this industry and stop so many barriers,' she added.

And the Breckland district councillor said she was going to champion better mobile phone coverage.

'Businesses are changing and they need business infrastructure,' she said. 'In some patches you have no coverage at all which is unacceptable in this day and age.'

She warned against voting for UKIP, adding: 'We have shown very good evidence that if you vote for UKIP you get Labour.'

Former Norfolk MP Baroness Gillian Shephard was on hand to help launch Mrs Steward's campaign at Sheringham Community Centre. She said the upcoming election was the most unpredictable since before the Second World War, and said she was proud to be supporting Mrs Steward.

Mrs Steward, who lives in Hilborough, managed businesses in the tourism sector for nearly 25 years and served as a district and county councillor for 12 years.

Other candidates for the north Norfolk seat include the current incumbent Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb, Labour's Denise Burke and UKIP's Michael Baker.

Are you concerned about an issue in your area? Email sabah.meddings@archant.co.uk