A SECOND East Lancashire MP has been given a new role within Prime Minister Boris Johnson's administration.

Pendle's Andrew Stephenson has been named a Minister of State within the Foreign Office and Department for International Development, with special responsibility for Africa.

The appointment marks a return to the now-expanded department for the 38-year-old, having previously served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Mr Johnson when he was Foreign Secretary.

And his new African brief has added significance for Mr Stephenson, who has sponsored a child in Sierra Leone through the Barley charity Kids in Kailahun for a number of years.

He told the Telegraph: "One thing that I am quite keen on, with my new brief, is to see how small charities, in East Lancashire and elsewhere, like Kids in Kailahun, can help with tackling issues such as poverty, ebola outbreaks and relief efforts.

"I spent a year, while I was working for Boris Johnson, in the Foreign Office, and I was really impressed by the talent civil servants working there so I'm delighted to be returning in this new role."

Mr Stephenson has also been an assistant and then a senior government whip, before being appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Business and Industry.

He was also chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pakistan for five years.

Earlier this week it was confirmed Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry had retained his Northern Powerhouse Minister's role and would now be attending Cabinet meetings.

Another Lancashire MP, Ben Wallace (Wyre and Preston North) is the new Defence Secretary.