WASHINGTON (AFP) - Senator Bernie Sanders has conceded defeat to rival Hillary Clinton in the Missouri Democratic presidential primary, a Sanders spokesman said on Thursday (March 17).

This means Mrs Clinton has won in all five states where primary voting was held on Tuesday, including the key ones of Florida and Ohio.

The Missouri results had been too close to call, until Thursday. Sanders conceded defeat and will not request a recount.

"I prefer to save the taxpayers of Missouri some money," the senator said, according to spokesman Michael Briggs.

Mrs Clinton is the frontrunner to win the Democratic nomination for the presidential election in November.