THE outcome of the battle to become the next Tory leader is too close to call, according to a leading Ellesmere Port Conservative.

Gareth Anderson, who has just been elected as the local association's deputy chairman in charge of political campaigning, says he's almost sure he will personally be voting for Ken Clarke.

But he reckons many of his colleagues will be backing Iain Duncan Smith when they receive their ballot papers in the middle of this month, while quite a number of Ellesmere Port & Neston Tories are still undecided.

The result of the contest for the man who will replace William Hague and face the daunting job of rebuilding the party following its second crushing election defeat in a row is due to be announced around September 12.

Mr Anderson said: 'I have just returned from a meeting at which Ken Clarke spoke and answered some very difficult questions from rank and file members of the party.

'I, as an individual member of the party, will almost certainly be voting for Mr Clarke, despite the fact that I am personally opposed to scrapping the pound.'

He added: 'At local party gatherings there are also many people who will be voting for Iain Duncan Smith and many more who are still undecided.

'I believe it is impossible to predict who will win the contest, but I know we will all work tirelessly for the party whoever becomes our next leader.'