DEFEATED Conservative wannabe MP Nigel Adams is quitting Rossendale just weeks after the General Election was held.

The parlimentary candidate for Rossendale and Darwen said he moved to Waterfoot last year to concentrate on his election campaign.

But since his defeat he has now vowed not to stand again and has put the back-to-back terrace house up for sale.

The two bedroom house in West View is for sale with Ramsbottom estate agents Pearson Ferrier complete with a £75,000 price tag.

He refused to confirm how much he bought the house for but is set to make a healthy profit as, at the time of the purchase, houses in the street sold for under £60,000.

The father of four, who is originally from York, said: "I bought the house just less than a year ago so I could concentrate on the election.

"Standing in Rossendale and Darwen was a great experience and is something I will never forget but the election consumed a lot of my time and now my family and my business, which is an executive recruitment company, have to take priority as I have been involved in the campaign full time."

Mr Adams, who has been a member of the Conservative group since 1992, added: "I don't know where I am going to move to yet - the world is my oyster.

"I have informed the party locally that I won't be standing again and I hope that we left the party locally in better shape than it was.

"It is now in a good position for whoever takes it back. I was pleased to do as well as I did as Labour's majority has been reduced and I am confident we can build on that in the future."

The election result came as a big surprise for Mr Adams as sitting Labour MP Janet Anderson held her seat after weeks of speculation.

With local and national experts expecting it to be a knife-edge fight, Sky TV made it their 'weather vane' seat and despite Mr Adams's hopes of running her close, her majority fell by only 1,500 votes leaving her the only person not surprised by the result.

MrsAnderson, who always maintained it would fall by no more than 2,000, wished Mr Adams luck in the future.

She added: "I wish Mr Adams well on his journey back to North Yorkshire, and hope he has enjoyed his stay in Rossendale and Darwen."