POOLE MP Robert Syms has been honoured with a knighthood.

Downing Street announced the appointment in a brief message on its website, stating: "The Queen has been pleased to approve that the honour of Knighthood be conferred upon The Right Honourable Michael Penning MP and Robert Syms MP."

Sir Robert said: "It is for public and political services, and my work with the High Speed Two bill, dealing with thousands of petitioners.

"I'm a bit surprised, but it is an honour to have people notice the work that you are doing.

"It has been a good innings as MP for Poole and I hope to go on for a bit longer."

The veteran Conservative MP has represented the town since 1997, and was previously a councillor in Wiltshire.

He has served as vice-chairman of the Conservative Party, chairman of the regulatory reform select committee and the High Speed Rail select committee, as well as Government whip and Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury.

Sir Robert was most recently in the news in June after responding to Twitter user by calling him a 'd**k' in a comment. When contacted by the Echo, he said he was correcting "fake news" about the Tories' agreement with the DUP.