The Conservatives have chosen their youngest candidate to stand for a parliamentary seat with 19-year-old Nick Varley to run for City of Durham.

Mr Varley is certainly the youngest Conservative parliamentary candidate in living memory, and possibly of all time, although that has not been corroborated yet.

He lives in the constituency and grew up in nearby Chester-Le-Street.

Caroline Spelman, Conservative party chairman, said: "I am delighted Nick has been selected for the City of Durham and congratulate him on becoming the Conservative's youngest candidate.

"I am sure he will bring a fresh perspective to tackling the issues of the day in Durham and do an excellent job of holding this Labour government to account, when [Gordon] Brown finally has the confidence to call a much need general election."

City of Durham is considered a very safe Labour seat.