A Norwich MP held court in a popular Hellesdon watering hole at the weekend as she launched her 'Politics in the Pub' surgery series.

Norwich North MP Chloe Smith normally holds surgeries at community centres, supermarkets and at her office, but has decided to also spend time with punters at the area's pubs.

The first pub she visited in the series was the Bull at Hellesdon, which has been run for 13 years by landlord Patrick Cutter, who said: 'I think it's a good idea. We have had a few more people in the pub to come and talk to Chloe, so that's good for business.

'It's also given me a chance to ask her to try and lobby to get pub companies to help tied pubs more.'

A customer, who did not wish to be named, added: 'Why not hold her surgery at a pub? It might make a few more people go along to it, although they do say politics and religion are two subjects not to be discussed at a pub.'

The MP said: 'It's really important for me to get about in the area as the local MP and I have enjoyed holding a surgery at a pub.

'I had a long chat with a lady about tuition fees, and also talked about forestry, inheritance tax and immigration.'

Her new surgery series ties in with the Evening News' Love your Local campaign - which she has supported - and which aims to get punters back into pubs that are struggling to survive in the current economic climate.

To see more stories from the Evening News' Love your Local campaign visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal.