PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has been discharged from hospital after going under the knife to remove a perforated, gangrenous appendix.

Mr Stephenson left Burnley General Hospital yesterday, 11 days after he was admitted complaining of stomach pains.

He was diagnosed with a gangrenous appendix, the more advanced form of appendicitis, and was operated on at the hospital after being admitted on March 28.

Yesterday he said: “Eleven days after I was admitted to hospital looking forward to being discharged today. Huge thanks to all the NHS staff.

“I will be recovering at home for next couple of weeks. In the meantime please contact my office on 01282 614748 if I can be of any assistance.”

Last week Andrew’s campaign manager Paul White said: “We would like to thank all of the kind people who have sent their best wishes to him, and we look forward to his continuing recovery and having him back at home.

“We all know just how hard Andrew works for Pendle and the most frustrating thing for him will be being stuck in a hospital bed, when he would rather be working.”

Mr Stephenson’s family also thanked everyone for their get well messages and messages of support while he has been ill.