Hillary Clinton declares herself Democratic presidential nominee after New Jersey primary win

The former secretary of state made history to become the first woman to lead a major party in the race for the White House.

Clinton has declared herself the Democratic nominee for US president , saying she has made history as the first woman to lead a major party in the race for the White House .

The former secretary of state beat rival Bernie Sanders in the New Jersey primary, expanding her lead a day after she captured the number of delegates needed to clinch the nomination .

In a fundraising email to supporters, Clinton, 68, said: "Together, we secured the Democratic nomination.

"For the first time ever, a woman will be a major party's nominee to become President of the United States."

Clinton will now go head-to-head with presumptive Republican nominee, billionaire businessman Donald Trump, in the November 8 general election