Donald Trump's victory in the US election has sent shock waves around the world, but one American living in our region is convinced he will be a force for good.

Amber Valdes, from San Diego, said she was delighted the controversial businessman had beat out Democratic rival Hilary Clinton to claim the presidency.

Mrs Valdes, a 32-year-old mum-of-two who lives in Bury St Edmunds and has links to RAF bases Mildenhall and Lakenheath in Suffolk, said: 'If this man can deliver us his promises then he's the right choice and we've needed that for years.

'We can't turn a blind eye to the corruption that has been facing the American people since Bill Clinton was in office.

'People were looking for change, and with all the corruption that's been surrounding Hilary Clinton it was not possible to have that change with her.

'There's damning evidence to show that this woman is not the change America needs right now - we need a change that's about America and for America, not for everyone else.'

Trump's election campaign was marred by slurs against minorities and women as well as sexual assault allegations.

But Mrs Valdes said that while she did not agree with everything Trump said, she thought a recording released of him boasting about assaulting women had been 'blown out of proportion'.

An MBA graduate who has lived in the UK for almost four years, Mrs Valdes said: 'He's got a lot of minorities on his side. He's not against minorities, he's not against women and he's not even against the gay and lesbian community. He's against illegal immigration, not legal immigration - that's what people don't seem to comprehend.

'There are too many illegals that come into the country and take advantage of the system and commit crimes and then expect no repercussions from it because they are in America.

'We need to clamp down on immigration and let people know that they can have the American dream, but they have to have it legally.'

Mrs Valdes said she thought Trump's stance on women was 'no different from any other American president'.

'He's married to a female foreigner - that says a lot. So when people say he's a racist and a bigot, just take a look at his wife.'

Mrs Valdes said the victory was monumental because it would mark be the first time the Republican Party could take control of the House of Representatives, the Senate and the White House simultaneously since 1928.

She said: 'That's a big deal because it's been very divided for quite some time, so to have that happen for the first time since the end of World War One is fascinating.'

Mrs Valdes said Trump's first 100 days in office would be pivotal, and said his most important policy would be to introduce congressional term limits.

She said: 'This will get those career politicians out and get some fresh perspectives in. It will move America forward to a new way of thinking and minimise the corruption. When you put terms on congress and stop giving them the power to do whatever they want it gives the power back to the American people. That's what Trump is trying to do - make sure the American people are in charge and not the government.'