A Conservative MP has announced that he will not be standing again at the next General Election.

Sir Mike Penning, 64, who has represented Hemel Hempstead since 2005, says his decision to retire has been "one of the most difficult of his life".

The MP, whose constituency includes Kings Langley, said: "It is with great sadness that I have come to one of the most difficult decisions of my life. After careful discussions with my wife Angie and daughters Adele and Abby, I have decided to retire from frontline politics at the next election.

"I have spoken to both the Prime Minister and my local constituency Conservative party chairman and announced it to my constituency executive.

"The trust that the local Conservative membership showed in me back in 2001 when they selected me as their candidate for the next election has been unwavering.

"The subsequent result, when we won the Hemel Hempstead seat in 2005 by 499 votes, and the faith the electorate has shown me at every subsequent election over the last 17 years has been humbling."

As well as representing his constituents in Parliament, Sir Mike has held a number of ministerial roles. This includes in the departments for transport, Northern Ireland, disabled people, policing, justice, and most recently for the armed forces from 2016 to 2017.

Sir Mike, who has been campaigning for a hospital to be built on a greenfield site in west Hertfordshire, continued: "There can be no greater honour than to be asked to serve your community and your country, but there comes a time when everybody needs to come to terms with the facts of life.

"I will be 67 at the next election and whilst I have by no means reached my ‘sell by date’, I may be described as having reached my ‘best before date’ and it is now time to allow a new candidate to come forward.

"Naturally, I will continue to serve as hard as ever for my constituents and fight for them until my last day as an MP."

It is expected that the next General Election will be in May 2024.