BRENTWOOD and Ongar MP Eric Pickles has been named Conservative MP of the year for 2014.

Mr Pickles was presented with his award yesterday by The Speaker John Bercow MP.

The Patchwork Foundation MPs of the Year award is for MPs who have represented and work well with underrepresented, deprived and minority communities across the country.

Mr Pickles said: “I am deeply honoured to win the Patchwork Foundation's Conservative MP of the Year. It is important that MPs from across the house continue to reach out to all our communities.

“Politics affects all our lives and is important we engage everyone who feels under-represented to secure a better future for all our communities.”

Prime Minister David Cameron commented: “I know how hard Eric works, not just in his own constituency of Brentwood and Ongar, but also as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

“Since he was first elected to Bradford Council some 35 years ago, Eric has been a towering figure in bringing communities together, promoting the values that make Britain great and working to secure a better future for all – he certainly deserves this award.”

Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion was given the overall award.