THE Conservatives have chosen an Essex county councillor to to be their candidate to become the county's police and crime commissioner.

Roger Hirst succeeds Nick Alston, who is stepping down at the election in May, next year.

Mr Hirst's selection follows a hustings held for party members in the county.

He is currently the Essex county councillor responsible for customer services, libraries, planning and the environment and the deputy leader of Brentwood Borough Council.

He said: “I am honoured to have been selected to represent the Conservative Party at the next Police and Crime Commissioner elections for Essex.

"I believe passionately in being tough on Antisocial Behaviour and reducing the disruption and distress it causes people, having zero tolerance for domestic violence and its impact on families, cracking down on organised crime and serious violence, and making the police more visible and accessible."

Mr Hirst was first elected to Brentwood Borough Council in 2009 representing the ward of Hutton South and in 2013 he was elected to Essex County Council for the Brentwood Hutton Division.