BUSINESSWOMAN Vanda Murray has ruled herself out of the contest to choose a new chairman of the North West Development Agency, it emerged today.

Although described as `an excellent candidate' by NWDA insiders, Mrs Murray - who will soon become deputy chairman - does not want to be considered as the replacement for Bryan Gray, who retires later this year.

Mrs Murray, 47, a former boss of Blick and Ultraframe, who has two children, said the top job at the Warrington-based NWDA would have dominated her working life to too great an extent.

Former Peel Holdings deputy chairman Robert Hough and retired corporate banker John McGuire are among the names in the frame for the role.