Steve Norris appears set to go head-to-head with Ken Livingstone for the London mayoral election.

The former Tory minister was last night selected as one of two candidates who will now slug it out to secure the Conservative mayoral nomination.

Norris appears likely to defeat GLA member Roger Evans in a postal ballot of London Tories.

The two triumphed after a hustings session attended by Conservative rank and file.

Norris, who came second in the 2000 mayoral poll, is the favourite to secure the party's nomination when the final result is announced on February 16.Eric Pickles, the shadow minister for London, said both candidates would fight a strong campaign against Livingstone"I am delighted that the Conservatives have two strong candidates in the final stage of our mayoral selection process," he said.

"Either candidate would do a better job than Ken Livingstone, a mayor who has consistently failed Londoners."Londoners will have a stark choice next year - between the high taxing, money wasting, inefficient and incompetent Ken Livingstone and a competent, effective, value for money Conservative, who will deliver for the capital."

Labour has already selected deputy mayor Nicky Gavron as its candidate for next May's mayoral poll.