THE future of a north west MEP, who controversially switched from the Liberal Democrats to theConservatives, is under the spotlight.

Blackburn-born Sajjad Karim is bidding to become one of the Tory group's candidates in Brussels, as the party's Euro MP selection procedure begins.

In November, the former Pendle councillor defected from the Lib-Dems to the Conservatives claiming that the latter had made 'huge progress' under leader David Cameron.

Mr Karim, 37, a former lawyer with two specialist practices in the North West, once had his constituency office in Manchester Road, Nelson.

Now he is based in Chorlton, south Manchester, following his defection.

Party members in the north west have been issued with ballot papers and must return them over the next few weeks.

Veteran Tory MEPs Den Dover, the party's regional development spokesman, Sir Robert Atkins and David Sumberg, a member of the foreign affairs committee, are also in the running.

An announcement on the successful candidates is expected in early April.

Mr Karim was first elected to Pendle Council in 1994 and held a number of posts at Nelson Town Hall during his eight-year tenure.

He joined the European Parliament as a north-west MEP in June 2004 and served on the parliament's international trade committee.