South-West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss has been selected to help scrutinize the policy, administration, and spending of the Ministry of Justice.

Ms Truss said she was delighted to have been appointed to the Justice Select Committee which also examines the work of the the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service.

She said: 'I have long argued for greater devolution of power, faster justice, increased public involvement and transparency of information.

'I aim to ensure that the money we spend on law and order does translate into a safer society where justice is done.'

The appointment comes after the Conservative MP has shown her support for the community payback project in Downham Market.

The community payback team, a joint initiative between the county's safer neighbourhood teams and probation, has targeted run-down areas in the market town since August.

The work carried out by the team is designed to be demanding and constructive and also give offenders the chance to learn new, practical skills to help them out of a life of crime and into a steady job.

Ms Truss spent time with the offenders in the town in the summer and highlighted the scheme in the House of Commons last month.

The MP has also worked hard to ensure locally administered justice is maintained within the community, particularly at Thetford Magistrates' Court which is under threat of closure.