The leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council has won the Conservative nomination to contest the newly created position of mayor for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough combined authority.

Councillor James Palmer was voted into the position after a selection conference last weekend, at which he saw off the competition from leader of Cambridgeshire County Council Councillor Steve Count, and Councillor Roger Harrison, cabinet member for strategic growth and skills on Huntingdonshire District Council.

“I am delighted to be selected as the Conservative mayoral candidate for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and I am looking forward to the campaign ahead,” Cllr Palmer said.

“If elected I will be a champion for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, working with relevant partners to help boost jobs, growth and productivity.

“I plan to visit voters, stakeholders, community groups and businesses in the coming months throughout the combined authority area to hear their views.

“I want to be a mayor for everyone in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough giving people a greater say about their communities and providing clear accountability.”

Cllr Palmer has been leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council since 2013 and a councillor for ten years.

Also standing in the election is independent candidate Peter Dawe, Councillor Rod Cantrill will stand for the Liberal Democrats, and St Ives councillor Paul Bullen for UKIP.

The Green Party have thrown its hat into the contest and has chosen Peterborough parish councillor Julie Howell.

The Labour Party has yet to announce its candidate.

Full elections for the mayor of the combined authority will take place in May.