FORMER Rossendale and Darwen MP Sir David Trippier has told the Tory High Command to pick a Northern candidate if it is to win its key East Lancashire target seat of Rossendale and Darwen.

The constituency which Janet Anderson won off him for Labour by just 120 votes in 1992 is one of 100 identified by Conservative Central Office which the party has to win if new leader David Cameron is to become Prime Minister at the next election.

It is the only one in East Lancashire putting it ahead of Hyndburn and Pendle, both former Tory strongholds taken by Labour 14 years ago on the list of key seats which will get extra cash, personnel and high-profile front bench visits when the nationwide poll is called.

And Rochdale-born Sir David, a former minister under both Margaret Thatcher and John Major, has waded into the internal Tory row over whether candidates for target, winnable constituencies should be local, or picked off Mr Cameron's A-list of nominees aimed at getting more Conservative and ethnic minority MPs next time round.

Already Bromley and Chiselhurst in Kent has forced Mr Cameron to back down over his preferred list by insisting on its right to pick its own man, or woman, for the by-election caused by the death of sitting right-wing MP Eric Forth earlier this month.

Businesman Sir David said: "I would hope that we can win Rossendale and Darwen back. It is absolutely right it should be a target seat it always will be. It should always be, and should have been, a Conservative seat.

"Last year's candidate Nigel Adams is not standing again so they will have to start the process of selecting a new candidate soon. I would hope they will choose a Northerner at least someone who has a feel for the seat.

"I lost by just 120 votes to Janet after several recounts, and I would love to see Rossendale and Darwen safe back in Tory hands. It is vital to winning the next election."

Mrs Anderson said: "I am sure Rossendale and Darwen will be, as it always has been, a target seat for the Tories.

"We shall defend it with all the vigour we have done at every General Election since 1992."