MID Worcestershire MP Peter Luff said he is "thrilled" to be knighted in the Queen's New Year’s Honours for political and public services.

The MP, who represents Hartlebury, is stepping down at the next general election after more than two decades in the House of Commons.

Sir Peter, 58, said: "I'm absolutely delighted, it's a real surprise. They're called honours and it is a real honour. I'm thrilled.

"What I'm most pleased about is the citation, it says about my two decades of service to Worcestershire.

"I'm very grateful to the people in my constituency who have had the trust in me to serve them for more than 20 years."

Sir Peter was also noted for his work on select committees in the House of Commons, for his commitment to encourage young people to pursue engineering as a career and helping to organise events to mark the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta in 2015.

He said his biggest achievement in politics was "winning the trust of the people of my constituency and being re-elected to serve them time and time again.

"In politics, you don't achieve things individually, you're part of a team. I'm a link in the chain," Sir Peter added.

Before becoming an MP, Sir Peter worked for the then MP for Worcester Lord Walker and went on to be head of private office to the former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath in the early 1980s.

He was first elected as MP for Worcester in 1992 and for the new Mid Worcestershire seat in 1997.

He has worked in the Commons Agriculture Committee, served as assistant chief whip, been appointed chairman of the Influential Business, Innovation and Skills Committee and served as Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology.

He added: "I was in my office when I got the letter, it was quite a surprise. It's not everyday you get that kind of post."

After retiring from politics in 2015, Sir Peter hopes to continue working in public service in some way.

On becoming a Sir, he added: "It'll be rather strange, I've been Mr Luff for 58 years - it'll be a change.

"Being an MP had its dark moments and it's had its better ones but it's the best job you can do and it's an enormous privilege."