A NEW man is at the helm of Warrington North Conservative Association.

Former policeman Paul Campbell, from Culcheth, replaces Keith Bland as chairman and, despite admitting his predecessor will be a hard act to follow, he is confident he can take the party forwards.

"Keith has played a huge part in helping the association go from strength to strength," Mr Campbell, aged 53, told the Warrington Guardian.

"He is a really hard worker for the party. He became chairman in 2002 and normally you only do three years and then someone else takes over.

"But he ended up staying for six because no-one else would volunteer because he was so good at it!"

Despite the demands of being deputy leader of Warrington Borough Council, in which the Lib Dems and Tories share power, Clr Bland is expected to remain a vocal backbencher within the association.

Mr Campbell, meanwhile, is relishing the chance to promote the party across north Warrington.

"The chairman's job is two-fold," he said. "To raise money for the Conservative organisation and for the elections, and to increase membership and hold meeting with the branches to discuss party policies.

"We are increasing in number each year and attracting a lot of younger people in the 25 to 35-year-old age bracket since David Cameron took charge.

"The main thing we want to push is value for money. The Government is forcing councils to increase council tax so we have to work hard to look at how we spend it."

Mr Cambell's workload is set to increase further still because he is also the playing a leading role in preparing local Conservative candidates for the borough council elections on May 3.

He also sits as a parish councillor for Culcheth and Glazebury.