The Labour party has selected its two Parliamentary candidates for the Braintree and Witham constituencies.

GP Martin Edobar will run to become the next MP for Witham after he was chosen by his local Labour branch on Friday.

After being chosen as the man to challenge for Priti Patel's seat, Mr Edobar tweeted to say he promised to fight an "energetic and exciting" campaign.

He added: "I am honoured to be selected by Braintree and Witham Labour to fight the Tory held seat of Witham.

"This Home Secretary is one of the most right wing in modern history and I will make it my priority to expose her anti-worker and human rights agenda.

"The people of Witham deserve better than an absent MP and 10 years of Tory austerity. I pledge, and hope all candidates pledge, to live and work in Witham if elected. We need to build a Witham and a Britain, for the many not the few."

Joshua Garfield has meanwhile been chosen to challenge for the Braintree parliamentary seat.

Mr Garfield is a Stratford councillor in London and was selected on Monday.

He also took to social media to express his delight at his new role.

He said: "Hugely grateful for Braintree and Witham Labour members for putting their faith in me.

"Together we'll fight the Tories and stop a no deal Brexit.

"I’ll see you on the campaign trail, James Cleverly."

Mr Cleverly has confirmed to the Braintree and Witham Times that he will stand for re-election.