The Conservative Party has chosen its first openly lesbian parliamentary candidate.

Millionaire businesswoman Margot James will challenge former health secretary Frank Dobson in the London seat of Holborn and St Pancras.

"It's not as if I am the only person living in a same-sex relationship running for parliament; it's a bit of a non-issue. It was certainly not raised by the people in Holborn and St Pancras," she said.