Norfolk and Suffolk MPs lobbied the government to invest in the East of England's rail network during a debate in Parliament today.

The debate followed yesterday's launch of the East Anglian Rail Prospectus; a document presenting the strategic and economic case for long-term investment in the region's rail network.

It was co-authored by a campaign group including MPs, business leaders, county councils, rail passenger groups and train operating companies.

Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey, who called for today's debate, said: 'Investing in East Anglia will benefit residents locally and the economy nationally.'

The session, which finished at about 12.30pm, saw transport minister Theresa Villiers assure the MPs that the Department for Transport had heeded their calls for further investment.