Three Ulster Unionsts chosen as potential assembly candidates

The trio - Basil McCrea, Mark Hill and Olive Mercer - will now go forward to the next stage of the selection process when they will face a selection panel.

Sitting Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea topped the poll by a large margin and was followed in the Candidate Selection by Oliver Mercer, the UUP's Lagan Valley Women's development officer and Vice-Chair of Gavaghy Skeagh Unionist branch.

Mark Hill, the Lagan Valley UUP Press Officer who currently works as the Office Manager for Mid-Ulster UUP MLA Billy Armstrong, came a close third.

The candidates will go forward to a selection panel made up of four local officers and three party officials. They will select two candidates to stand in the Assembly elections next May.

"This Candidate Selection has given me the opportunity to speak on how I want to continue my work for Lagan Valley constituents," said Mr McCrea who is contesting the leadership of the party with Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA tom Elliott.

"There was also enthusiasm towards my ideas to develop my vision for the party as a whole, which have been well received.

"The members have voted not for me, but for my record - they know I can and will deliver. I am keen to continue my work for Lagan Valley, and should I become leader and be successful in the elections, I will be as dedicated to the constituency as I am to the needs of the party."

UUP Lagan Valley Elections Officer Alexander Redpath added: "The extraordinary interest shown by candidates from across Northern Ireland in the Lagan Valley seats is an indication of our high likelihood of taking two seats in the next election. The diversity of the candidates coming forward shows the changing face of the UUP."

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