A NORTH-EAST MP says she can’t wait to get started after being appointed by leader Jeremy Corbyn to Labour’s front bench team.

Laura Pidcock, who won the North-West Durham seat last June, becomes Shadow Labour Minister, one of a series of a new appointments.

The 30-year-old is seen by many as a rising star within the party.

In December The Northern Echo revealed how she registered a £25,000 donation from the union Unite shortly after her election – the biggest single union donation to any Labour MP in the region in 2016/17.

On Twitter Ms Pidcock said she was “delighted and honoured”.

She said: “At a time when wages are flatlining, workers’ rights are being eroded and unions are under attack, it’s a massive challenge, but one that I’m really looking forward to. Bring it on.”

She has been a consistent critic of Government welfare policies and last year invited Mr Corbyn to her constituency to discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, Roberta Blackman-Woods, who's been the MP for the City of Durham since 2005, is the new Shadow Minister for Planning.

The Belfast-born MP has previously held the post of Shadow Housing Minister.

Mr Corbyn said: “I look forward to working with them and holding the Tories to account, as well as developing our policies to transform our country and preparing to form a Government for the many not the few.”