MP Rachel Gilmour, who represents West Somerset and parishes in the Culm Valley and bordering Wellington, has been elected vice-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Farming.

Mrs Gilmour, who was the first woman director of the National Farmers’ Union in more than 100 years, and also head of strategy with the Environment Agency, said her experience working with farmers and the environment outside of politics would be ‘a force for good’ in Parliament.

Groups are another way of campaigning in Parliament, providing an additional platform to highlight topics with other MPs.

Mrs Gilmour hoped local farming issues specific to the Tiverton and Minehead constituency could be raised through the group with MPs from all political parties.

She said: “Farming and farming policy has been a huge part of my life, and I am excited to get working on our local issues to ensure that our farmers have the resources, infrastructure, and support they need.”