Watford's MP has been appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons as the chairman of the Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art.

The committee, which was established in 1954, is a cross-party group of members appointed by the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, to advise on the use and management of the parliamentary art collection in the House of Commons.

Mr Russell has sat on the committee since May last year and he is a keen artist himself with four Prime Ministers signing his artwork over the years.

Following his appointment, the Conservative politician said: "It is a privilege to have been appointed by Mr Speaker as the new chairman of the works of art committee. I would like to thank Hywel Williams for his excellent work as chairman, and it is an honour to take up the role."

Parliament has been collecting works of art for over 170 years. The origin of the collection was in the 1840s when large wall paintings and statues were added to the newly built Palace of Westminster.

It currently has over 9,500 works of art, divided between the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

The Speaker’s advisory committee on works of art meets monthly.