SIR John Butterfill's announcement he will step down at the next election has started speculation on who will take his Bournemouth West seat.

The 67-year-old announced this week he will stand down at the next election after 25 because he didn't want to stay on too long.

The Tory search for their new candidate is expected to begin soon and Bournemouth council leader Stephen MacLoughlin is one of the potential front runners.

Cllr MacLoughlin said: "I would need to consider it very carefully with my family. I need to take into account what's best for them.

"I am very happy as leader and I have a lot of work to do here. There are exciting times and I am looking forward to our changes being completed and brought to fruition."

Cllr MacLoughlin previously applied to be the Tory candidate for the Mid-Dorset and North Poole seat but lost out to Cllr Nick King, now Bournemouth's cabinet member for communications.

Cllr King said: "I am sure Sir John will be a hard act to follow. I honestly don't know who intends to stand.

"From the party point of view I am sure there will be a lot of interest nationally, and there are a number of young people locally with various aspirations."

Cabinet members Cllr Barry Goldbart and Beverly Dunlop have ruled themselves out.

Sir John Butterfill won his seat with a 4,031-vote majority over the Liberal Democrats at the 2005 election.