A former Tonbridge Grammar School student has received another boost to her bid to take over from David Cameron as leader of the Conservative Party.

Energy and Climate Change minister Andrea Leadsom has been given the backing of fellow Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson.

He said she "offers the zap, the drive, and the determination essential for the next leader of this country."

The former Mayor of London said: "She has long championed the needs of the most vulnerable in our society.

"She has a better understanding of finance than almost anyone else in Parliament. She has considerable experience of government. She is level headed, kind, trustworthy approachable and the possessor of a good sense of humour.

"Above all she possesses the qualities needed to bring together leavers and remainers in the weeks and months ahead"

Boris Johnson ruled himself out of the race, in a shock move last Thursday.

Mum-of-three Mrs Leadsom was born in Buckinghamshire and attended Tonbridge Girls Grammar School in Deakin Leas before going on to read political science at Warwick University.

She was elected the Conservative MP for South Northamptonshire in 2010, following a 25 year career in the finance industry, and promoted to her current ministerial role last May.

The Leave campaigner said her priority was securing Brexit in line with the democratic mandate and to make the most of the opportunities the come with independence from the EU.

On Saturday she was also given the backing of former leader Iain Duncan Smith. He said she was the "right person to lead" the forthcoming negotiations.