Conservatives whittled down their list of candidates to contest the new Mid Norfolk seat to the final four today.At a selection meeting at Northgate High School in Dereham party members chose from the 11 candidates on offer and voted for lawyer James Tumbridge, health campaigner Vicky Ford, entrepreneur George Freeman and political consultant Laura Sandys.

Conservatives whittled down their list of candidates to contest the new Mid Norfolk seat to the final four today.

At a selection meeting at Northgate High School in Dereham party members chose from the 11 candidates on offer and voted for lawyer James Tumbridge, health campaigner Vicky Ford, entrepreneur George Freeman and political consultant Laura Sandys.

It means at least one local candidate – Norwich-born Mr Tumbridge – has made it to the last hurdle alongside those from David Cameron's A-list.

Mr Tumbridge, 27, attended the selection meeting having only had four hours sleep in two days after he was forced to jet back from his holiday in Canada just hours after he had arrived.

The Conservative candidate will be chosen at Dereham and District Conservative Club next Saturday, where members will make a choice following in-depth interviews with the remaining contenders.