THE Conservative parliamentary candidate for Eastleigh is expected to be announced next week.

It comes as Eastleigh MP Mims Davies yesterday announced that she will not stand in the general election on December 12.

Ms Davies said her decision is "entirely personal" and not a political one.

Now Jerry Hall, chairman of the Eastleigh Conservative Association, said a new Tory candidate is expected to be announced early next week.

He said: "We are going to run a selection process. I shall be conducting interviews in the next two days. We don’t have anyone lined up at present."

Talking about Ms Davies he added: "She was a wonderful MP and I just wish her the best whatever she decides to do.”

As reported yesterday, Ms Davies said deciding to step down has been a “hugely difficult decision” which she “greatly wrestled with”.