THE Conservatives have selected former Trafford Councillor and businesswoman Laura Evans to take on Andy Burnham in May's election for the Mayor of Greater Manchester.

The 54-year-old was chosen on Sunday at a meeting at the Last Drop Village in Bolton.

Mrs Evans, the wife of Trafford Conservative group leader Nathan, said: "The mayor needs to be someone who can work actively with the Government. Unfortunately Andy Burnham has not achieved this, which deprives Greater Manchester of a straight-talking mayor.

"I have run several successful businesses in Greater Manchester for over 30 years and as a mother, councillor and wife to the Group Leader of Trafford Conservatives I understand the ebb and flow of the people and businesses here and what a fantastic place it is.

"For too long the Labour party has laid claim to Greater Manchester, stopping us achieving our true potential. We have had a mandate for change now is our chance to deliver."

She enjoys roller-skating, dancing and cycling.

Mrs Evans vowed to push for more police on the streets, end rough sleeping, and put Manchester back on the map as the ‘first city of the UK’ outside London, with a clear relationship with Westminster helping to push the Northern Powerhouse across the whole of the city region.

She said: "In the General Election, whole communities across Greater Manchester, communities who had never before voted Conservative showed they wanted a change from Labour’s failings and I believe I am the best person to help deliver that change as the Conservative Mayor.”