CIVIC boss George Beckett, pictured, is quitting as a councillor – to clear the way for a campaign to become the new Hampshire police commissioner, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Winchester City Council chief Cllr Beckett, 60, has told his local Conservative party that he will remain as leader of the council until the May elections.

He will not contest Compton and Otterbourne in May, nor remain on Compton and Shawford Parish Council.

Cllr Beckett aims to be the Tory candidate in the first-ever election for the £85,000-a-year commissioner role, which will replace the Hampshire Police Authority.

He said: “I think it is time for a new leader and fresh ideas. I have done it for five of the last six years.”

He said he would be a strong candidate for police commissioner, adding: “I’m an ordinary working class man, with a proven record, and I was born and brought up in Southampton.”

The election for police commissioner is due in November. The Conservatives are holding selection caucuses in the spring.

One potential plus for Cllr Beckett is that former council colleague George Hollingbery, now Meon Valley MP, will be coordinating the Tory campaign.

Other Tories known to be interested in the post include Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council.

On the Conservative council group the battle to become the next leader is likely to be a contest between senior members John Cooper, who is the current deputy leader, and Keith Wood.