TORIES in the Colne Valley have been stunned after their General Election candidate quit.
Amanda Harland, 34, revealed in a brief statement that she was stepping down.
No reason has been given for her decision.
She and her husband Adam moved into a house in the constituency only this spring from their previous home in Oxfordshire.
With an election possibly only six months away, the Tories now face a race to get another candidate in place.
Miss Harland said: "I would like to thank the people of the Colne Valley constituency for the warm welcome they have given me since moving into the area.
"Although I have stepped down as the Conservative prospective Parliamentary candidate, I remain committed to Conservative policies and principles and remain a member of the party.
"I wish my successor all the best in the forthcoming General Election."
Tories came second in the Colne Valley at the last election, when Labour MP Kali Mountford had a 4,639 majority.
Miss Harland was chosen as candidate 12 months ago when she was a councillor in Wantage, Oxfordshire and worked at the Oxford University Society.
Colne Valley Conservative Association chairman Jackie Firth said: "We very much regret that circumstances were such that Amanda was not able to continue as our candidate.
"She made a huge commitment in moving to live in the area and we are grateful to her for the work she has done in the constituency.
"We look forward to working with her as a member of the local association in coming months and years."
