CLWYD West MP David Jones has been speaking about his plans for another term in office.

The former Secretary of State for Wales was re-elected at Thursday’s General Election, gathering 43 per cent of the vote to comfortably hold off Labour candidate Gareth Thomas and UKIP’s Warwick Nicholson, who finished second and third respectively.

Speaking to Pioneer reporter Dean Jones, he said: “I have spent the last ten years working to ensure that the interests of this part of North Wales are given proper consideration by Government, and I intend to continue doing so.

“Most importantly, I will continue to be the voice of Clwyd West residents in Parliament, and do all I can to advance their interests at Westminster.

"I will hold regular advice surgeries and continue to be an approachable local MP who is very much part of the community he represents.”

Mr Jones also signalled his intent improve potential developments in the region, including the proposed Tidal Lagoon project in Colwyn Bay, which he thinks could be of “immense benefit” to the area.

He added: “I intend to continue that work, by pressing the case for the electrification of the North Wales coast railway line, and will also explore positively the proposal for a tidal lagoon at Colwyn Bay, which has the potential to be of immense benefit to our economy.

“I will also continue to work with local councillors on proposals for the improvement of Colwyn Bay town centre.”

The MP, now in his third term, made an appearance at Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn just hours after news of his re-election was confirmed, where he welcomed a number of Chinese students from the Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School as part of the Confucius Schools programme.

He said: “I have long supported the Confucius Schools programme, and was very pleased that my first engagement after my re-election was to visit Ysgol Pen y Bryn and help welcome the Chinese foreign language students.

“The Confucius programme helps spread mutual understanding and respect, which are particularly important in today’s globalised world.”