BOLTON Tories are backing Kenneth Clarke in today's second round of the Conservative leadership contest.

Local party members have voted to support the former Chancellor against William Hague and John Redwood.

They have registered their support for Mr Clarke in a Central Office telephone poll of party members.

Although constituencies are not allowed to vote in the contest, the continued grass roots support around the country is bound to give a vital boost to Mr Clarke's leadership bid. Mr Clarke emerged as the favourite among Bolton Tories after ballots in all three constituencies held before the first round of the contest last week.

Yesterday support for him remained "overwhelming" following a new polls in Bolton North East and Bolton South East.

Members in Bolton West were only balloted once but support for Mr Clarke was strengthened when the votes for second choice candidates were transferred.

Constituency chairmen in Bolton are at a loss to explain why grass roots support for Mr Clarke remains so strong despite Westminster MPs appearing to prefer more right wing, Euro-sceptic candidates. Barbara Porter of Bolton West speculated: "Maybe people feel he has the debating skills needed in government and the others do not have that type of personality."

Stella Jinks of Bolton South East said: "They try to make out he is an ordinary man who likes a drink and a smoke but I think it is possibly because he is a middle of the road politician.

"People say he is not too right wing and has some sensible ideas about Europe."

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