Photograph from left to right: Steve Barclay MP, David Broker, Grace Bellamy, Cyril Bellamy, Will Sutton (county council candidate for Waldersey Division)

ARCHITECT David Broker has been selected by the Tories to fight a Fenland District Council by-election caused by the death of Councillor Robert Scrimshaw.

Mr Scrimshaw, who topped the poll in the two-seat Wisbech St Mary and Parson Drove ward at the 2011 elections, was found dead at his home at the beginning of January.

Mr Broker, of Wisbech St Mary, runs his own architect’s practice and has lived in the ward all his life.

MP Steve Barclay joined him on Friday in the village and described him as having “strong local roots and a genuine drive to improve the lives of residents in Fenland”.

The election is due to take place on March 28. Other candidates have yet to publicly announce themselves.

In the 2011 election, Mr Scrimshaw polled 849 votes, nearly 200 ahead of Lib Dem Gavin Booth who was also elected.

Cllr Booth, with 652 votes, beat the second Conservative candidate, county councillor Steve Tierney, who gained 602 votes.