Three Rivers councillor Kemal Butt has been picked for a national high-flyers programme designed for politicians destined to be future council leaders and even members of parliament.

Councillor Butt, of Heathside Close, Moor Park, has made it into the top 24 Conservative councillors in the country to qualify for a unique programme, called Next Generation.

The programme has been developed by the Leadership Centre for Local Government together with the former director of candidate selection for the Conservative Party, Christina Dykes, and the Conservative Group leader for the Local Government Association, Margaret Eaton.

Christina Dykes, Next Generation political director for the Conservatives, said: "In his application form, Councillor Butt showed a commitment to the ideals of local government, and demonstrated a flair and potential for leadership. I think he has a genuine capacity to develop into a really good leader."

During the 18-month inaugural programme, Councillor Butt, will be given practical leadership skills, gain privileged access to senior Conservative party members, work with the best of policy-makers and learn from model councils and veteran councillors that are the best the party has to offer.