The wife of Charlie Elphicke has been selected as the prospective parliamentary candidate for Dover it has been announced.

In a surprise twist, Natalie Elphicke is to replace her husband who has agreed to stand aside. He is facing charges of assault which he has firmly denies.

She will defend a majority of 6,437 in the constituency which had previously been represented for nine years by her husband.

Dover and Deal Conservatives Association chairman Keith Single said: “We considered matters most carefully and it is clear to us that Natalie will be an outstanding candidate for the Conservatives in Dover & Deal.”

“She has loyally and effectively campaigned for the Conservatives over the past 30 years, and with us in Dover and Deal for over a decade.

"Her expertise in national policy combined with her experience of local constituency issues makes Natalie a first class Conservative candidate.”

Natalie, who lives in St Margaret’s, works as a volunteer with the Dover Winter Night Shelter.

She was also a founder of the Dover People’s Port Trust – the local group set up to campaign against Labour’s plan to privatise the Port of Dover.

Natalie tweeted about the move and also said: “I am delighted to have been adopted as the Conservative candidate for Dover and Deal.

"Our Conservative team has achieved so much since 2010 - and I am looking forward to building on these tremendous achievements.”

Earlier it was thought Mr Elphicke would still stand as his website said he was the candidate for Dover and Deal

Head to our politics page for expert analysis and all the latest news from your politicians and councils.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover

Read more: All the latest news from Deal