The chairman of a local Tory branch has stepped down - and been replaced by a recently-ousted council leader.

Greig Baker, who oversaw the selection of Canterbury parliamentary candidate Anna Firth, left the role due to personal reasons.

Simon Cook, who served as city council leader for two years, is the new Canterbury Conservative Association chairman.

He was chosen by the branch's executive and took up the role this month.

Mr Cook said: "I was happy they put their confidence in me. It was very touching."

Canterbury Conservatives have been busy knocking on doors across the district in recent weeks, as election fever mounts.

The association has recruited revered Tory political campaigner Andrew Kennedy as its agent.

Much of the campaigning has been focused on Chestfield, ahead of the by-election on Thursday.

The Tory council candidate is Ben Fitter-Harding, who lost his seat in May.

But Mr Cook, also ousted earlier this year, says he has no plans to fight the next by-election that comes up.

He is keen to give new leader Rob Thomas "space to get on with his programme".

"I'm enjoying not being in the council for a bit and being able to take a step back ," Mr Cook says.

"I don't want to get under Rob's feet."

There have been rumours that Prime Minister Boris Johnson - who has been touring target seats in recent weeks - is due to visit Canterbury in the near future.

But Mr Cook said: "Even if I knew, I couldn't tell you."

Mr Baker said: "I'll keep doing all I can to support the association".

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