A GOOGLE executive has been selected as the Conservative Party candidate for Hartlebury’s constituency at the next general election.

Nigel Huddlestone, 43, was selected last Friday to contest the Mid-Worcestershire seat at a United States-style “primary” in Pershore, seeing off three other candidates vying to have the opportunity to take over the role from current MP Peter Luff.

Mr Luff had already announced his retirement, saying he would stand down at the national poll, which is due to take place in May, 2015. The constituency is seen as one of the safest Tory seats in the country - Mr Luff holds a 15,864 majority.

Born and raised in Lincoln, Mr Huddlestone studied politics and economics at Oxford University and has a masters of business administration from the Anderson School at UCLA, California.

The father of two currently lives in Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, where he is a councillor but plans to move to Mid-Worcestershire.

Mr Huddlestone, industry head of travel at internet giant Google, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been selected as the candidate for Mid Worcestershire.

“Trying to follow in the footsteps of the very popular and highly regarded Peter Luff MP will be no easy task but I will work hard, take nothing for granted and fight for every vote in 2015.”

Last Friday, an audience was invited to ask the candidates questions and then had the chance to vote for their preferred choice.

Mr Huddlestone stood unsuccessfully as the Tory candidate for Luton South at the 2010 general election.