His wife Janet also to stand in South Norfolk - although couple are not selling their Watlington home, near King's Lynn.

The leader of Norfolk County Council will be fighting next year's elections for a new area of the county - 50 miles away from his current division and the site of a controversial incinerator he is backing.

In the 2013 elections, Derrick Murphy will be standing for a South Norfolk seat, where he has a home, it was confirmed yesterday.

He refused to comment on the news and said: 'What the Conservative Association chooses to do is private.'

Mr Murphy did, however, say he had taken his second home in west Norfolk home off the market.

Mr Murphy took over leadership of the council in October 2010 and has been at the forefront of plans to bring a controversial waste incinerator to the edge of King's Lynn.

South Norfolk Conservative Association announced its team for next year's county elections and Mr Murphy and his wife Janet are both listed among the 11 candidates named by chairman Peter Stebbings.

Mr Murphy was elected to the county in 2009, as was his wife who represents Gayton and the Nar Valley.

He will stand in South Norfolk's Forehoe Ward - which includes Mulbarton and East Carleton and is currently represented by Mr Jon Herbert, who will stand as an independent.

Mrs Murphy will stand for the Clavering ward, which includes Broome and Ditchingham, and is currently represented by Mr Tony Tomkinson, who is standing down.