Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke has been appointed parliamentary private secretary to Europe minister David Lidington.

Mr Elphicke won his seat in the general election of 2010 and lives in St Margaret’s with his wife, Natalie, and two young children.

He said he was delighted with the appointment, especially as his constituency was “on the front line” facing Europe.

Mr Elphicke, 42, added: “I am not a European community bore, but I believe in free trade and the common market we are signed up for.”

The MP said he was looking forward to a 2017 referendum on Britain’s EU membership.