TORY candidate Caroline Nokes is fighting to overturn the Lib Dem's slimmest majority in the country to win in Romsey.

She has been a Test Valley borough councillor for the last 11 years and has lived in the Romsey area for most of her life.

Mrs Nokes was educated at Thornegate School, Wellow, Romsey Abbey Primary School, Romsey School, La Sagesse Convent in Romsey and then Peter Symonds' College, Winchester. She studied politics at the University of Sussex from 1991 to 1994.

She lives on the edge of the New Forest National Park in West Wellow, the village where she grew up, with her husband Marc, 11-year-old daughter Tabitha, two dogs, a cat and four free range organic pigs.

Mrs Nokes was the chief executive of the Hampshire based National Pony Society until last year but stood down to focus on the general election. She was the Tory candidate for Romsey in 2005.She said: "This is a critical general election, where Labour's record on the economy needs to be carefully scrutinised. There is a record deficit, more young people not in education, employment or training than ever before and this election is the opportunity for local people to express their view."