Brooks Newmark MP is preparing to say a fond farewell to people he has represented for five years.

The Tory candidate for Braintree said he has spent two thirds of his time dealing with Witham people.

But now he is the Braintree constituency candidate he will have no ties with Witham, should he hold on to his seat, and he will have to champion Halstead and the surrounding areas, as well as Braintree.

Reflecting on his work in Witham he said there are many people in the area with numerous housing and benefits issues.

Mr Newmark said he has enjoyed his time as Braintree MP representing Witham and made “lots of friendships”.

“I want to thank all the people in and around Witham for their support over the last four and a half years,” he said.

Mr Newmark said he is looking forward to new challenges and working for people in parts of Saffron Walden, Halstead and Braintree.

He said, should Conservative candidate Priti Patel be elected as the new MP for the Witham constituency she is “extremely hard working and with views that are very much in tune with local people”.

He said: “She will probably rise very fast and I would not be surprised to see her with a ministerial role in Parliament.”