Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw has been awarded a Knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours for his political and public service.

Sir Ben, who has represented Exeter since he elected in 1997, recently announced he will step down at the next general election, after more than a quarter of a century of service to the city.

He said: “I consider myself incredibly lucky to have served such a fantastic constituency as Exeter, which must be the nicest constituency in the country.

“My late dad would have been very proud. My mum would have laughed very loudly. So in their memory and on behalf of all the people who’ve supported me in my public and private lives over many, many years, I’d like this to be seen as a thank you to them really, because without them I couldn’t have done the job.”