Image copyright The Conservative Party Image caption Barrister Robert Courts said he was "hugely honoured" to be selected

The Conservative Party has chosen barrister Robert Courts as its candidate to succeed David Cameron as MP for Witney and West Oxfordshire.

Mr Courts, 37, said he was "hugely honoured" to be selected by local Tories for the 20 October by-election.

The Greens have chosen Larry Sanders - brother of US Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders - as their candidate.

Mr Cameron announced he was quitting as an MP last week, having resigned as prime minister in July.

Mr Cameron, 49, has represented Witney since 2001, becoming Conservative leader in 2005 and prime minister in 2010.

He announced this month he would step down as an MP as he did not want to be a "distraction" for new PM Theresa May.

Mr Cameron won a 25,155 majority in 2015 in Witney, which has been held by the Conservatives since 1974.

The Sun had reported that Mr Cameron's former aide Natasha Whitmill was tipped as the "favourite" to succeed him, but Mr Courts won the selection process on Thursday.

Mr Courts, a West Oxfordshire district councillor since 2014, praised Mr Cameron as "a brilliant MP and public servant" and said it was "vital" that the constituency continued to have a "strong local voice in Parliament".

Mr Cameron said there had been a "strong shortlist of local candidates" adding: "I'm delighted Robert Courts has been chosen."

Image copyright PA Image caption Larry Sanders is the Green Party candidate in Witney, and brother of former US Democratic Party presidential candidate Bernie Sanders

Standing for the Greens is Mr Sanders, who stood in the neighbouring Oxford West and Abingdon constituency in 2015, coming fifth.

The 81-year-old emigrated from his native New York in the 1960s and was leader of the Green group on Oxford County Council between 2005 and 2013.

His younger brother Bernie is known for taking on Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination for US President.

The Lib Dem candidate for the seat is Liz Leffman while Duncan Enright, who came second to Mr Cameron in 2015, will stand again for Labour.

The by-election will be held on the same day as a by-election in Batley and Spen, prompted by the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox.