HEXHAM’S MP has spoken about the pride he has for the work carried out in his constituency, after being elected for a fourth term.

Following successful campaigns in 2010, 2015 and 2017, Conservative Guy Opperman’s latest success saw him increase his majority to 10,549 over the Labour Party.

After it was announced he had been re-elected in the early hours of Friday morning, Mr Opperman was delighted to hold the seat for five more years.

He said: “When I first got the job in 2010, I wanted to bring around real change and we look at the investment in our schools with rebuilds in Prudhoe, Ponteland and Hexham, and huge investments in Haydon Bridge and Haltwhistle.

“The unemployment figures have halved since 2010, and we have created and developed things like the flood forums to increase flood resilience in the Tyne Valley and the long term protection of the green belt.

“I hope I will continue to be a strong voice for Hexham in Westminster and a local champion for our region.”

Asked about the hot topic of Brexit, which is planned to happen before January 31, Mr Opperman said he was happy the democratic vote would be honoured.

In the 2016 European referendum, 51.9 per cent voted to leave the EU, even though an estimated 54.66 per cent of voters in the Hexham constituency opted to remain.

Mr Opperman said: “This is all about democracy, and the people voted to leave in 2016 and, although I campaigned for remain, I accept the result and it’s utterly crucial that the largest democratic vote in this country’s history is validated.

“If you cancel democracy then this country and this region will definitely be affected.

“With a majority government, we can drive forward Brexit to the will of the people of the 2016 referendum, and the changes are set out in the Conservative manifesto.”

Mr Opperman became Hexham’s MP in 2010 when he successfully campaigned for the seat following the 18-year stint of predecessor Peter Atkinson.

In his first election, he increased Mr Atkinson’s majority of 5,020 slightly by just over 700 votes. His majority significantly improved in 2015, winning by 12,000 votes and the margin during the 2017 dipped to 9,236, but he was still comfortably head and shoulders ahead of his fellow candidates.