North West Norfolk MP Sir Henry Bellingham has welcomed a snap general election this June saying the Government had got into a 'difficult position'.

Confirming his intention to stand in the upcoming election, after sitting in Parliament over two periods since 1983, Sir Henry said he would be 'working hard for every vote'.

'Although Theresa May was in a very strong position in terms of a lead over Labour, she did not have her own mandate,' he said. 'These are the most challenging negotiations the county has embarked upon since the Second World War and I think there is a very strong argument for a fresh mandate.'

Sir Henry added it was 'the right decision' to call the election despite the looming campaign distracting from the negotiations to leave the European Union.

'Elections are expensive and can be a distraction, but this election will be over very quickly,' he said. 'There is an argument it will eat into some of the time taken for the negotiations, but the country has now got to know Theresa May and seen her on the world stage and I think people are impressed with her statesmanship when other parties are floundering.

'No one can take an election for granted and there is always a risk involved. When you go to the public and ask a question you may not get the answer you want. 'I will personally be working very hard for every vote I can get.'