Hitchin's Member of Parliament Bim Afolami MP was joined by more than 100 local residents at the Sun Hotel in Hitchin town centre for a public event recently. 

In the course of just over an hour, Mr Afolami took questions from audience members on a whole range of topics, from traffic issues in Hitchin, to GP access, to the impact of Luton Airport.

The Member of Parliament also sought feedback on his plans to protect the local environment, oppose Luton Airport expansion, improve local health care, tackle crime, deliver more jobs, and open up eastern access to Hitchin Station. 

Speaking after the event Mr Afolami said: "Local residents shape my priorities for our communities and this was an absolutely fantastic opportunity for me to hear directly from people across our area on the issues that matter to them.

"There were lots of really interesting ideas and points raised which will help to shape my work – both locally and in Westminster. I'll be spending some time over the next few weeks considering how to best address the challenges which really concern people here in Hitchin and the villages. 

"Our community is home for me and my family. That's why I am determined that we make it the best possible place to live, work and spend time that it can be. I look forward to continuing to work with people right across our communities to deliver on our priorities and make it exactly that."