AN entrepreneur who says south Durham has played a big part in his childhood is hoping to become the area’s next MP.

Christopher Adams has been selected by the Bishop Auckland Conservatives to be their candidate.

He grew up in North Yorkshire, having attended Richmond School, before becoming the first member of his family to go to Oxford University.

Since then he has worked as a management consultant and more recently an entrepreneur as a director of a technology business.

Mr Adams, who is hoping to unseat Labour incumbent Helen Goodman, said: “I am very grateful to the local Conservative Party for putting their trust in me, and I’m excited about the campaign ahead.

“I’ve grown up watching politicians work in a way which is completely alien to me: buzzwords, dodging questions, expenses; MPs not fighting tooth and nail for the places they are supposed to represent. But we can’t just ignore it; politics is too important.

“South Durham was a big part of my childhood — playing rugby for County Durham and Darlington, hiking in the Dales, and playing guitar in bands at shows around Barnard Castle.

“Ours is a beautiful part of the world, and one which I am proud to call home. I want to do everything I can to help.”

Dr Alan Booth, chairman of Bishop Auckland Conservatives, said: “Chris greatly impressed us with his understanding of local and national issues.

“He will be an outstanding candidate. At the last election, Barbara Harrison massively reduced the Labour majority and the seat is now for the taking by Chris.”