A BARRISTER and local councillor has been selected as the Conservative party candidate for the Witney by-election.

Robert Courts, the deputy leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, will go head-to-head against candidates from the other main parties on October 20.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Prime Minister David Cameron from his role as MP earlier this month.

Mr Courts has been a West Oxfordshire district councillor since 2014 and was described by the Conservative Party as a "devoted champion for the area".

He works as a barrister, volunteers as a speaker for Thames Valley Air Ambulance and is a member of the Parochial Church Council in Bladon.

Speaking after his selection, Mr Courts said he is "hugely honoured" to be picked and paid tribute to Mr Cameron.

He said: "For the last 15 years we have had a brilliant MP and public servant in David Cameron and it is wonderful that he and his family plan to stay local.

"I believe it is vital that Witney and West Oxfordshire residents continue to have a strong local voice in Parliament and I will work tirelessly to ensure that residents' views and concerns are heard.

"I look forward to meeting and speaking with as many local residents as possible in the coming weeks and discussing the issues that matter to them."

Mr Cameron said: "This was a strong shortlist of local candidates and I'm delighted Robert Courts has been chosen.

"Witney and West Oxfordshire deserves - and will now get - an excellent Conservative candidate to stand up for local people and back Theresa May's government.

"It's been a huge honour to serve Witney and West Oxfordshire and I look forward to helping Robert in the forthcoming by-election."