THE two contenders to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative leader and Prime Minister will head to the Sussex coast for a hustings.

Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will debate with each other in Eastbourne next month as they battle to win the support of Conservative Party members.

The event is one of several to take place across the country as members choose who will get their vote.

The first will take place in Leeds next week, with others to take place in Darlington, Manchester, Birmingham and London.

Perth MP Pete Wishart joked his city had issued an amber warning due to the “threat of flying debris” from the hustings scheduled there next month.

Eastbourne is a crucial seat the Conservatives need to hold at the next general election should they want to remain in office, with the Liberal Democrats posing a threat to MP Caroline Ansell’s roughly 4,300-vote majority.

Ms Ansell had backed Penny Mordaunt to replace Boris Johnson, but she was eliminated in the final round of voting by Conservative MPs.

Several Conservative MPs across Sussex have announced their endorsement of Rishi Sunak to become the new leader of the party and the country, with no MPs in the county so far backing Liz Truss.

Conservative Party members will be able to get their hands on a ticket to the hustings on August 5 for £5.

A new leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister will be announced on September 5.