TALKING in the aftermath of his election victory, Shaun Woodward spoke to the Star about his personal plans and his vision for the area as new Labour MP for St Helens South.

He said: "First of all I would like to thank the people of St Helens for voting for a Labour MP. I would also like to thank everyone who worked so hard during the campaign when we visited between 500 and 1000 people a day. Thank you also to those people who we did meet and those who expressed their opinions about what they want done in St Helens."

"I am delighted to have been elected, I feel honoured and privileged to accept this decision with humility."

And talking about his immediate plans, he said: "We have now found a house in Vincent Street and our offer has been accepted. I want to live in the heart of St Helens in order to make myself available as much as possible to local people. We will also be opening a constituency office in the town centre so that the people of St Helens will be able to come to us at any time with issues that are important to them. I will shortly be advertising for a full time constituency secretary and case worker so that when I am away in Westminster, there will always be somebody available in the office."

But Shaun said that it was difficult to determine how much time he would be spending at his St Helens home.

He continued: "My first task will be to respond to the case of the Ravenhead workers and will be campaigning for a new plant to be introduced on the current site. I will also be fighting for compensation and pensions for the former workers."

And when questioned about his diminished victory, Shaun said:

"I am not disappointed with the result because I recognise that it was part of the national trend and widespread low turnout across the country. I am also aware that I received more votes than Gerry Bermingham got in his first election in St Helens and I am extremely grateful to those people who made it possible. I have not taken anything for granted and will work as hard as I can for the entire constituency."

He continued: "It was clear that the people of St Helens rejected the extremist parties and the Conservative party was also crushed as the Liberal Democrats moved up into second place behind Labour."