MP GUY Opperman has been appointed as a Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions.

The Hexham MP is joined by fellow Conservatives MP Laura Trott MBE, parliamentary under-secretary of state, and MP Tom Pursglove in new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government.

It comes after Mr Opperman - the longest-serving pensions minister - was "relieved of duties" on September 20. He was replaced by Alex Burghart.

At the time, he said he would be focusing on serving the constituency as a backbench MP and his new baby Kitto.

He resigned in July under Boris Johnson's leadership before being later reinstated.

In a tweet, the Conservative MP said: "Delighted to be appointed by HM The King as Minister of State at DWP in the PM's new Government.

"Lots of work to do, and I look forward to working with the new Secretary of State Mel Stride.

Mr Opperman backed former Chancellor of the Exchequer Sunak in the leadership race.