New Green MP: 'I cannot wait to get to work'

Ellie Chowns, MP for North Herefordshire, is keen to get started

"I cannot wait to get a desk, get my feet under it, and get to work."

New MP Ellie Chowns said she is ready to hit the ground running with tackling river pollution the issue she hopes to make some progress with.

Ms Chowns, who was sworn in on Wednesday, is the first Green Party MP in the Midlands, after taking the North Herefordshire seat by almost 6,000 votes.

She took the seat from the Conservatives for the first time in North Herefordshire since 1906.

It has been all systems go for the Green MP, who went out to speak to some of her constituents on Sunday, before going to London.

"I got lost on the tube, on the way to the House of Commons," she said.

"I'm finding my way around the main parts, but it is a complete rabbit warren, there's so much to learn there.

"But it's great, I feel immensely privileged and really honoured to be in this position."

She attended the election of the speaker in the chamber of the House of Commons, which, she said was too small.

"The place is built for half the number of people that actually have to fit in it," she said.

"There’s a lot of ceremony, shall we say, and procedure. It was an interesting taste of things to come."

Her 'overwhelming impression' was how friendly people were.

"I am really excited to be here, it does feel like a real change and it's a real change for North Herefordshire, I think."