Wiltshire MPs are starting to react to news the expected news that Boris Johnson is the Conservative leader and will become the next UK prime minister.

Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan said: "I believe Boris Johnson will make a fantastic Prime Minister. He is just what the country needs to deliver Brexit and get us back to focusing on our important domestic issues like education, policing and the NHS.”

Devizes MP Claire Perry, who backed Michael Gove early in the election battle and was a harsh critic of Mr Johnson during the ballot, surprisingly took to Twitter to praise him just minutes after his victory was announced.

She wrote: "Congratulations @BorisJohnson and commiserations @Jeremy_Hunt

"I know the new PM is passionately committed to “deliver, unite and defeat” and also keeping up the pace UKs world-leading decarbonisation actions."

On Monday some national newspapers had speculated that Ms Perry would resign her ministerial seat rather than waiting to have it taken from her.

Mr Johnson beat Jeremy Hunt comfortably, winning 92,153 votes to his rival's 46,656.

The former London mayor takes over from Theresa May on Wednesday.

In his victory speech, Mr Johnson promised he would "deliver Brexit, unite the country and defeat Jeremy Corbyn".

Speaking at the Queen Elizabeth II centre in London, he said: "We are going to energise the country.

"We are going to get Brexit done on 31 October and take advantage of all the opportunities it will bring with a new spirit of can do.

"We are once again going to believe in ourselves, and like some slumbering giant we are going to rise and ping off the guy ropes of self doubt and negativity."