Tories are digging in against apparent Central Office attempts to switch their chosen parliamentary hopeful for a younger model.

Members of the Brighton Kemp Town Conservative Association had whittled their prospective candidates down to a shortlist of three in December when party leaders stepped in to abandon the selection process.

Now, with months to go before the predicted general election, the Kemptown seat - vital to the Tories' bid to seize power at Westminster - remains without a party challenger.

The seat was held by Conservatives for 27 years before it was snatched away by Des Turner in the 1997 Labour landslide.

He retained the seat at the election three years ago.

His opponent was Geoffrey Theobald, former leader of the Tories on East Sussex County Council and Brighton Council.

Councillor Theobald wanted to stand again and reached the final three when Conservative Central Office cancelled the selection meeting with 24 hours' notice.

The process was put on hold until after the Euro poll on June 10.

It has now emerged the seat is one of many into which party leaders would like to parachute young candidates as they attempt to shake off the traditional fusty image of the old guard.

Party stalwarts are now petitioning for Coun Theobald to be selected immediately.

They believe the selection was handled properly by the local association.

They are also worried the candidate, when eventually chosen, would not have much time to make an impact in a general election, which could be held as early as October.

The petition among members in the Kemptown constituency describes Central Office's decision to override the association as outrageous and says it will damage chances of winning back the seat.

Councillor David Smith said he had been asked what could be done to get a candidate in place, particularly in view of speculation that Tony Blair might call a snap election in the autumn.

Conservative agent Ed Faulkner said he hoped the issue would be sorted out quickly.

He said: "We are behind schedule and need to get on with it."

The Kemptown Tories' executive meets on Wednesday, May 19, to discuss its next move.