DUDLEY South MP Mike Wood is backing Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb's bid to become the next Prime Minister.

Mr Wood, who represents Brierley Hill, Brockmoor, Pensnett, Wordsley, Kingswinford and Wall Heath, attended Mr Crabb's campaign launch this week which he described as "fresh and optimistic".

Mr Crabb, Conservative MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, faces a five-way battle for the top job against frontrunner Theresa May, who is presently Home Secretary, and Justice Secretary Michael Gove, Liam Fox MP and Minister Andrea Leadsom who have all thrown their names into the hat for a chance to replace David Cameron when he steps down in September.

Although he faces competition from high-profile Ms May and former controversial Education Minister Michael Gove - Stephen Crabb is right the man for the job, according to Mr Wood.

He said: “He’s been in Parliament for 11 years and he’s got some fantastic campaign experience. He fought a safe Labour seat in South Wales, won it and turned it onto a safe Conservative seat.

“He’s from a working class background and I’ve done quite a bit of work with him on improving life chances whatever people’s backgrounds – which is a message that’s really relevant to us in the Black Country.”

The campaigning will now get underway in earnest and a new Prime Minister in expected to be in place by September 2.