West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer has been re-elected chairman of the 1922 Committee, representing backbench Tories.

He will be responsible for overseeing the election of a new party leader to replace Michael Howard.

After the announcement on Wednesday, Sir Michael said it was a great honour to be re-elected unopposed by his colleagues.

He said: "With its very impressive new and enlarged intake, the morale of the Conservative Parliamentary Party is very high.

"The months ahead will be very busy ones for me and my office.

"We'll be assisted by the fact that we've had the experience of managing two previous leadership elections."