Former police chief and current city councillor Graham Cox has tonight been chosen as the Conservative candidate for Hove at the next election.

The current Westbourne councillor will attempt to retain the seat won by Mike Weatherley in 2010.

Mr Weatherley announced earlier this month that he would not be standing for relection.

Councillor Cox joined Brighton and Hove City Council in December 2011 after winning a byelection.

He had previously had a long illustrious career with Sussex Police where he rose to head of the county's CID division after forming the force's major crime unit.

Linda Freeman, chairman of Brighton and Hove Conservatives, tweeted in the last hour: "Delighted to have @CoxGraham selected tonight as our parliamentary candidate 2015 for #hove and #portslade."