WYRE Forest Conservative Association members have picked a new chairman.

At the association's annual meeting at the Tories' district headquarters Margaret Thatcher House, in Kidderminster, Ken Prosser was elected the position unopposed.

The independent financial advisor has lived in Kidderminster for 50 years and is a well known local character, according to Conservative Westminster hopeful Mark Garnier.

He has been an active district member for the party for some time and chaired the association's Sutton Park branch.

Speaking after his election on March 10, Mr Prosser said: "I am delighted to be taking on the role of chairman at such an exciting time in the fortunes of the Conservative Party.

"With the party nationally now lying consistently ahead in the opinion polls, and our local district councillors doing a truly amazing job brightening up the town centres, dealing with local amenities and keeping council tax increases to below inflation, I look forward to the WFCA Wyre Forest Conservative Association doing its bit to secure the next Conservative Government."

Mr Prosser replaces outgoing chairman Phil Green, who has reached the end of his four year tenure as chairman.

Mr Green said: "I have been proud to serve the association for four years."

He added it had been "a great pleasure" to be involved with the association at a time when the party had made gains in Wyre Forest District Council and at the Parliamentary level.

He said an increase in association membership had made the group one of the biggest clubs in Wyre Forest.

"I am pleased to be able to hand over an association that is in good heart to a man who I know will take the association forward," Mr Green added.