Greg Pope, MP for Hyndburn, is exchanging the traditional draughty community hall in favour of the comfort of the Commons for his constituency surgery in an online trial. Using the hyndburnlife.co.uk website, constituents can communicate directly with their local MP for one hour on Wednesday 26 January from 6pm. Mr Pope has promised that any questions left unanswered by the end of the surgery will receive answers by 2 February.

Greg Pope said: “As the local representative for Hyndburn I welcome any initiative that encourages the flow of information. I am constantly striving to improve my constituents’ access to information, about their rights and their community, and I welcome any opportunity for them to provide me with feedback.”

Tony Garner, Portal Development Officer for Hyndburn Life and moderator for the online surgery, said: “I am delighted that Greg has agreed to participate in this initiative, it’s a first for Hyndburn Life and I’m confident it will prove to be a useful source of communication all round.”