RACHEL Maclean has been chosen as the Conservative candidate for Redditch following the previous Tory MP Karen Lumley’s decision to stand down.

A candidate for Birmingham Northfield at the last General Election, Ms Maclean is a technology entrepreneur who has built two businesses in Birmingham.

She founded Skilled and Ready, to help young people prepare for the world of work, and has served 15 years as a Scout Leader and as a school governor.

The appointment of Ms Maclean comes after Karen Lumley said she would not re-stand due to ill health.

Ms Maclean said: "It is a privilege to be selected as the Conservative candidate for Redditch at the General Election, just a month away.

"I will be a fighter for every community in the constituency, working tirelessly and following in the footsteps of Karen Lumley who has given so much for Redditch in the last seven years.

"I particularly want to use my business experience to support jobs and opportunities locally, especially for our younger residents who all deserve the best possible opportunities in life.

"I will also work hard to get the investment we deserve in our public services, for example boosting our local health services.

"As an MP I will support the Prime Minister to get the best Brexit deal for Redditch and lock in our economic progress.

"Only a vote for the Conservatives on June 8can secure Theresa May in the Downing Street – or Jeremy Corbyn could end up in power, backed up by the SNP and others, and frankly this would be a disaster for both Redditch and Britain."

Mrs Lumley, who is currently in hospital severely ill, had a surgical procedure in October 2016 and following this was unable to carry out much of her parliamentary work until Christmas, and did not start carrying out constituency visits and meetings until late November.

She then suffered a health relapse in January.