A NEW secretary of state for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been appointed as part of the Prime Minister's latest cabinet reshuffle.

Former DEFRA minister George Eustice has been promoted to Secretary of State after stepping down over Theresa May's Brexit deal last year.

The outgoing Secretary of State Theresa Villiers lasted just six months in her job.

In a statement, she said: "What the Prime Minister giveth, the Prime Minister taketh away: just over six months ago, I was delighted to be invited by the Prime Minister to return to government after three years on the backbenches. This morning he told me that I need to make way for someone new.

"I am deeply grateful for having been given the opportunity to serve twice at the highest level of Government, first as Northern Ireland Secretary and then as Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I tackled both roles with passion, commitment, and huge amounts of hard work.

"I have championed our farmers and secured a five year guarantee from the Chancellor on maintaining the farm support which is so vital to helping them produce the high quality, high welfare food which sustains us."

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, which covers Belsay and Elsdon, has been announced as the new International Development Secretary.

She was promoted from her previous role as the minister for the armed forces.