FURNESS MP John Woodcock has regained a place on the Parliamentary defence select committee.

He first sat on the committee shortly after being elected to Parliament in 2010, but protocol required him to relinquish membership when he joined Labour’s front bench transport team.

Mr Woodcock stepped down as a shadow transport minister while recovering from a fall at his home, but this week was confirmed as returning to the defence role he relished.

He said: “Defence is of huge importance for jobs, national security and for the future economic stability of Furness and I am pleased to return to the committee.

“It carries out important work in scrutinising the government’s defence procurement policy and I am looking forward to playing my part once again.”