Matthew Hancock has toured Greene King’s Westgate Brewery in Bury St Edmunds.

THE NEW west Suffolk MP has paid a visit to one of the area’s major employers.

Matthew Hancock, who took over from Richard Spring in May, toured Greene King’s Westgate Brewery in Bury St Edmunds yesterday .

He said his first ever tour of the landmark building had been “fascinating”.

“I’m a big supporter of local pubs, they are an important part of the community, especially in rural areas, and Greene King obviously have a really big part to play in that.”

He was invited to the brewery by managing director of Greene King Brewing Company, Justin Adams, following a discussion they had about beer tax ahead of the budget.

Mr Hancock has now taken on some of the duties of Bury St Edmunds MP David Ruffley, who is recovering after he jumped in front of a train in an apparent suicide attempt.

Friends of Mr Ruffley had told the EADT how he had been courageously fighting depression throughout May’s general election.

Mr Hancock said: “David needs time and space to recover fully and to make sure he can return to his duties in due course and in full health.”

He added: “He remains very much the local MP.”

Mr Hancock is holding a surgery for constituents on Mr Ruffley’s behalf in Bury St Edmunds on July 16.