DAVID Cameron's shock resignation has rocked political figures around Worcestershire - with the city's devastated MP revealing his sadness.

Robin Walker called the PM's decision to quit "desperately disappointing and upsetting", saying the nation now faces a battle on its hands to fight the right successor.

Hours after yesterday's Brexit vote Mr Cameron stood outside Downing Street and announced he would step down in October.

Mr Walker said: "I'm desperately disappointed and upset, he will be a huge loss to the country.

"Only when he is gone will people realise we had such a centralist, moderate figure as Prime Minister, it will be very hard to replace him.

"I wish he hadn't done this but I totally understand his reasons, and feel he will be a huge loss to the country and the Conservative Party.

"Personally I'm gutted, he is a very decent human being and just a year ago won an outright majority, the first Conservative Prime Minister to do that since John Major in 1992."

Mid-Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston, a key ally to Mr Cameron whose constituency adjoins the PM's, called him a "true statesman".

He has also revealed how the Tory leader comforted him when he was defeated in a bid to win the Luton South seat at the 2010 general election by around 2,300 votes.

"The dignified manner in which the Prime Minister announced his intention showed him to be a true statesman," he said.

"While there are many talented and experienced people in the Conservative party, the Prime Minister's dignified behaviour showed he will be difficult to replace.

"I have known David Cameron since I first became a parliamentary candidate in 2007.

"He has shown me nothing but kindness and when I lost my first parliamentary election in 2010, he played a key role in encouraging me to stand again.

"He warmly welcomed me onto the green benches when I became the MP for Mid-Worcestershire in 2015, and I will never forget how he called me his 'new best friend'".

Other senior political figures around the county also paid their own tributes.

Worcester's Tory group leader Councillor Marc Bayliss, a former city council leader, said: "It's terrible news that David Cameron has had to resign - he's a great Prime Minister who served this country with huge distinction."

Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier said: "I don't believe it - the last thing we need is the uncertainty of a leadership challenge."

Flanked by his wife Samantha while announcing his resignation, Mr Cameron said: "The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected.

"The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered."

His voice breaking, he added: "I love this country and I feel honoured to have served it, and I will do everything I can in future to help this great country succeed."

His announcement triggers a battle for the Conservative leadership, and the keys to Number 10, likely to feature Boris Johnson taking on figures such as Home Secretary Theresa May, who took a low profile in the referendum campaign.