HOME Secretary Theresa May has won backing from several of Hampshire's MPs in the race to succeed David Cameron after Boris Johnson stunningly bowed out of the contest.

The Home Secretary has been supported by a variety of south coast Tories and is now the bookies' favourite after Boris Johnson's shock announcement yesterday.

Mr Johnson's former Leave campaign ally Michael Gove will however run alongside three other candidates in the contest called after Mr Cameron's post-EU Referendum resignation.

Work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb, energy minister Andrea Leadsom and former defence secretary Liam Fox are the other three names.

Mr Gove had been expected to back Mr Johnson, but yesterday morning he declared he was standing for leader hours before his former ally announced to a stunned press conference that he was not.

However it is Ms May, who also formally announced her candidacy yesterday, who is the early frontrunner in the contest.

Winchester MP Steve Brine is among her backers, saying: "Although the country voted to leave the EU I remain completely committed to ensuring we secure our position as a great trading nation with sensible controls on migration.

"I believe that Theresa May has the strength, judgement and values to deliver those things.

"She is the right choice to lead Britain in a challenging period and will make an outstanding Prime Minister."

Meon Valley's George Hollingbery is also supporting the Home Secretary, who he used to work as Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Home Office for.

He said: “There is no doubt in my mind she is the most credible and experienced politician who can quickly unify the party and take the country forward as Prime Minister during the challenging months ahead.

“We need an experienced captain right now with gravitas and with all the skills to offer the best leadership when we sit down and negotiate with our European friends on the details of our leaving the EU.

“I believe Theresa has all those skills.”

Mims Davies (Eastleigh) and Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) are also backing Ms May, with Ms Dinenage saying on Twitter that she was "Strong, experienced & best able to oversee #Brexit & unite the country".

Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North) and Royston Smith (Southampton Itchen), have not yet decided which candidate to back.

Desmond Swayne (New Forest West), Julian Lewis (New Forest East) and Suella Fernandes (Fareham) did not respond to requests for comment on the race, although Ms Fernandes backed Mr Johnson before he dramatically exited the race.

The winner of the contest will be announced on September 9.