Republican Mike Pence has won plaudits for a calm and collected performance in the US vice presidential debate - but it was his Democratic opponent Tim Kaine who landed the most telling blows after forcing him to confront - or not - Donald Trump's provocative remarks.

Democrat Tim Kaine aggressively challenged Republican Mike Pence over a long list of Donald Trump's controversial positions and statements in the only vice presidential debate of the US election campaign.

Hillary Clinton named Virginia Senator Tim Kaine as her vice presidential running mate, adding a centrist former governor of a crucial battleground state to the Democratic ticket.