Following the Cabinet’s meeting in Gateshead earlier this week, Hexham MP Guy Opperman welcomed Environment Secretary Michael Gove to the constituency.

Mr Gove visited Northumberland National Park’s The Sill and Housesteads to mark the beginning of National Parks Week, and took part in a discussion with local upland farmers and National Park and forestry experts on the positive future for the Borderlands. 

Mr Opperman said: ‘I was delighted to welcome Mr Gove to the Hexham constituency and to be able to show him the wonderful National Park that we have on our doorstep. His visit was a valuable opportunity for our forestry experts to make the case to DEFRA for the need for more forestry and timber to support rural jobs and future prosperity.’