Damian Collins stood for the Tories at the last general election

Damian Collins beat off the challenge of two female contenders at a selection meeting attended by nearly 200 party members on Thursday night.

He stood for the Northampton North seat at the 2005 general election.

Former Tory leader Mr Howard entered the Commons in 1983 and announced he was standing down as an MP in March.

'Tough act'

He has represented the Folkestone and Hythe constituency throughout his time in the Commons, and rose to home secretary in 1993 when John Major was prime minister.

In 2003, he became the surprise successor to the party leadership at the age of 62. He stepped down in December 2005.

Speaking after his selection as the Tory candidate for the seat, Mr Collins said he had "a very tough act to follow".

"It's impossible for me to judge what they were looking for in Michael's successor. I will do the very best I can to live up to whatever it is they saw in me tonight," he told BBC South East Today.

Mr Howard said his advice to Mr Collins was to "work hard and take nothing for granted".