Norris: in the running

The Conservative Party is set to decide who to vote off its candidate shortlist for London mayor.

The party's mayoral selection committee will decide today who will go forward to the next round for face-to-face interviews with its panel in January.

The team of around 30 party members will decide on the performance of the candidates so far and who they believe has the talents to take on Ken Livingstone and Labour's Nicky Gavron.

There are 11 contenders, including Steven Norris - who is widely tipped to succeed - and former model Nikki Page.

Two MPs Richard Ottaway and John Wilkinson are also in the running.

The other candidates are Bob Blackman, Andrew Boff, Victoria Borwick, Brian Coleman, Roger Evans, Julian Malins QC and Michael Tickner.

Either three or five people go through to the hustings with party members begin before two candidates go on to the final ballot.

The winner will be announced on February 16.