THE Conservatives have chosen their candidate to contest next year's police and crime commissioner elections.

Matthew Barber wants to replace the current PCC Anthony Stansfeld when he steps down after eight years.

A former leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, Mr Barber stepped in to the newly created full time role of deputy police and crime commissioner last year.

He said he had a vision for strong local policing and clear leadership to make communities safer.

The Labour Party's Tom Hayes, the crime lead for Oxford City Council, called the selection 'uninspiring'.