That was the reaction of Mark Menzies after the announcement that he had been chosen to replace retiring Fylde MP Michael Jack.

The 37-year old Scotsman was chosen by Fylde Conservative Association to fight the next General election after a gruelling eight-hour selection process.

Mr Menzies, who currently lives in Leeds but is originally from Ayrshire, said he was itching to get to work in the borough.
He said: "I've been coming to the Fylde Coast for a long time as a visitor and its a beautiful part of the world and there are very nice people.

"I was brought up by the seaside and there must be something about being near the water because I cant think of anywhere else I would rather stand.

"I'm really looking forward to it now and the first thing for me to do is to meet as many people from across the borough as I can and to try my best to understand their needs and priorities."

Mr Menzies graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MA in Economic History before starting work for Asda in Scotland in 1985.

He moved to their Leeds headquarters in 1997, but now works for Morrisons.

Having unsuccessfully fought the Glasgow Govan seat at the General election of 2001, he came close to taking the Yorkshire seat of Selby in 2005.

Fylde is one of the safest Tory seats in the country, having been represented by Conservatives for more than 60 years.