A SOUTHEND MP has been appointed as government minister in two offices

James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, has been appointed Minister for International Development and within the Foreign Office

His new role will involve leading the UK's effort in ending end World poverty and in foreign affairs.

Mr Duddridge was previously Brexit minister until recent weeks, and his new appointment has come as part of Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle.

The MP also announced this week that he is running the London marathon in April, to raise funds for homeless charity HARP.

He tweeted earlier today: "I'm delighted to have been appointed as a Minister for International Development and the Foreign Office by Boris Johnson. 

"Looking forward to getting on with the job and working closely with Dominic Raab and Anne-Marie Trevelyan."