Watford's Conservative parliamentary candidate says he is "ready to get Brexit done" so he can focus on other key issues facing the town.

Dean Russell, 43, was selected at a hustings on Tuesday night, and will stand at the next general election, which is to be held on December 12.

Watford's current MP, Tory Richard Harrington, announced at the end of August that he would be retiring.

Mr Russell, who currently lives in Harpenden but is planning on moving to Watford, says he feels "very honoured" to be selected as the town's candidate.

He added: "I love Watford. My daughter was born here, my wife is from here. I have ambitious policies."

Mr Russell says he comes from a working class background but has been fortunate to have had a diverse career in business which has seen him travel around the world. In particular, has worked in the digital and communications sector and has ambitions to turn Watford into a 'tech town'.

The former physics university student, who also studied an Mphil in physics, said: "There is a lot of opportunity for entrepreneurship and start-ups in this town. I want us to become a nation of entrepreneurs. We have brilliant minds in Watford."

Mr Russell, who stood as a parliamentary candidate in Luton North in 2015 and Luton South in 2017, has a number of other key policies too, which include tackling the transport problems facing the town both on the roads and railways. He says he has a good relationship with Hertfordshire County Council, having very recently worked on a project involving care leavers.

Making Watford a single use plastic free town, focusing on mental health in schools, the workplace, and in communities, and policing are also key policies.

On Brexit, Mr Russell says he voted leave in the EU referendum, says he is wants to get the deal done, and get Brexit done He said its time to "unite the town and the country".

Paying tribute to Mr Harrington, Mr Russell, who has previously been a councillor in St Albans, said: "Richard has many amazing accomplishments and they are big shoes to fill. I want to thank Richard for building great foundations but I have my own ambitions too."

He added: "I never give up and will fight to the last polling station.

"I'm a working class guy who has been fortunate to have a diverse career in business and want to apply that knowledge across communities in Watford. Watford is a place for everybody.

"I've fought my entire life and now I want to fight for Watford."

The other parliamentary candidates in Watford which have been announced include Chris Ostrowski (Labour) Ian Stotesbury (Lib Dem) and William Berry (Brexit).