PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has taken time during his latest House of Commons appearance to praise Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes on his championing of improvement projects in his constituency.

Mr Baynes used time during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) to ask Mr Johnson if he would join him in praising Wrexham and Denbighshire Councils for their dynamic proposals for the Dee Valley in their joint bid for the Levelling Up Fund, including regeneration of the Trevor Basin; improvements for Chirk and Llangollen; and investment in Corwen station and the surrounding area.

In response, the Prime Minister – who stood as an MP without success in Clwyd South – praised Mr Baynes for doing something he could not do.

He said: "Can I tell [Mr Baynes] what a joy it is to hear him campaigning for Chirk, and Corwen and Llangollen, after I tramped round those beautiful places, entirely fruitlessly, many, many years ago, in search of the Conservative vote.

"Thank you for what you’ve done, and thank you for continuing to champion those wonderful and beautiful spots.”

Speaking after PMQs, Mr Baynes said: “These projects give us the chance to transform our communities in Clwyd South for the better and ensure as many opportunities as possible are available to our young people.

"I will do everything I can to bang the drum for Clwyd South to secure this funding and I’m very excited abut the potential for these projects to re-spark our local economy following the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I was thrilled to receive such a positive response from the Prime Minister and I’m greatly pleased that he shares my love and deep admiration for the Clwyd South constituency.”