As the race to become the next Conservative Party leader hots up, two Gloucestershire MPs have declared their backing for former Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

So far, 11 Tory MPs have thrown their hat into the ring and set out their stalls to succeed Boris Johnson as party leader and Prime Minister.

Both Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie and Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper have come out firmly in support of Rishi Sunak.

Ms Baillie tweeted: "I'm backing Rishi as the best choice for Britain. His quick thinking and creativity during the pandemic protected the jobs, livelihood and wellbeing of thousands across Stroud.

"He shares my passion for improving life chances of all children, strengthening families and supporting the vital skills agenda for our economy."

Meanwhile, Mr Harper tweeted: "Our next Prime Minister must rebuild trust. I'm backing Rishi Sunak to give our United Kingdom the serious, competent leadership we need.

"I'm #Ready4Rishi as he represents a return to traditional Conservative values and has an exciting vision for the future of our country.

"Cutting taxes on families should be a priority of a Conservative Government. But tax cuts have to be paid for. Our next Prime Minister needs to be honest with the British people about how to achieve this. I trust Rishi Sunak with that vital task."

Among Gloucestershire's other MPs, Tewkesbury MP Laurence Robertson is hoping Home Secretary Priti Patel will join the leadership race.

Mr Robertson tweeted: "She has the necessary experience, judgement and dynamism and is just the person we need to be our next Prime Minister."

Speaking on LBC yesterday, 1922 Committee treasurer Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown, who represents the Cotswolds, was also asked about the possibility of Priti Patel standing. All he would say was: "I know Priti very well..."

Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk and Gloucester MP Richard Graham have yet to formally thrown their weight behind any candidate.

The full list of declared candidates so far is: Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt, Liz Truss, Sajid Javid, Grant Shapps, Nadhim Zahawi, Tom Tugendhat, Suella Braverman, Jeremy Hunt, Kemi Badenoch and Rehman Chishti.

The 1922 Committee of backbench MPs is due to meet later today to decide the rules for the contest.