Asian teacher and lecturer Manish Sood (36), a councillor on Leicester City Council, was chosen by local party members from a four-person shortlist in March – and did some footwork on the doorsteps here during the borough council elections in the spring.

He said: "Over the past few months I have been doing the groundwork to lay the foundations for the General Election campaign, whenever it is announced.

"I'm ready for the election. I feel at home here and I'm looking forward to the challenge of winning the seat back for the party."

Mr Sood was undaunted by the prospect of standing against long-serving Conservative MP Henry Bellingham. He said: "When I stood in Leicester for the local elections we hadn't won the seat there for a decade. We won because I put people before politics – and I will do the same here.

"I will be challenging on local and national issues, such as a better health service, transport network and affordable housing, and nothing is unachievable if you are positive."

Local party chairman Irene Macdonald said: "Manish has given us a commitment to be here full-time for the campaign if an election is called."

A single man with a professional background in business and management, Mr Sood is currently a supply teacher and lecturer in further education.

He has known West Norfolk since coming here for holidays as a boy and his uncle had a market stall in Lynn.