Oxfordshire County councillor John Howell was last night chosen as the man the Tories want to replace Boris Johnson as Henley MP.

Mr Howell was selected as the Conservatives' candidate ahead of Ann Ducker and John Cotton to stand once Mr Johnson completes the formality of resigning his seat in favour of his newly-won job as mayor of London.

Mr Howell, who was made an OBE in 2000, is a member of the county's cabinet and the representative for Dorchester and Berinsfield.

A parish councillor in Warborough, he lists his interests as a local organist, choir director and environmental campaigner. He is also a former partner in Ernst & Young.

A Tory spokesman said: "A successful businessman, he is leading the way in ensuring the county council is run more efficiently and in opposing the bulldozing of the green belt."

Mr Howell said: "For now I just want to say that it is a huge privilege to have been selected as the Conservative candidate for my home constituency.

"I plan to spend the next few weeks talking to as many local people as possible about the issues that affect us all in South Oxfordshire."

A date for the by-election has not been set but it is expected within the next few weeks.