FRONT-RUNNER to become the country's next Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been spotted in Bicester.

The former foreign secretary, who will battle it out against Jeremy Hunt for the Number 10 spot, has stopped by with MP Victoria Prentis for a fleeting visit to one of Bicester's oldest businesses.

Oxford Mail:

He was greeted by a crowd as he arrived at Nash's Bakery, in Bassett Avenue, just after 1pm before being unable to resist joining staff behind the counter to serve sausage rolls and cakes to customers.

People crowded the bakery windows to catch a glimpse of the 55-year-old as a select few were allowed in for a very brief encounter.

Oxford Mail:

The visit comes ahead of the first hustings event tonight in Birmingham for both Tory leadership candidates who secured their place in the final stage of the contest on Thursday.

Tonight's hustings will be the first of 16 across England, Scotland and Wales, and will see Mr Johnson and Mr Hunt go head to head with a short pitch to the audience before answering questions.

READ AGAIN: Everything you need to know about Conservative leadership candidates Mr Johnson

Mr Johnson is the odds-on favourite to win after he received the backing of 160 MPs in the final ballot - more than half of the total.

Mr Hunt got 77 votes - two more votes than the next candidate Michael Gove.

The pair now face the vote involving up to 160,000 Conservative party members, with results expected by late July.