EAST Lancashire MP Jake Berry and his family have been stranded in North Wales since the lockdown began.

The former Northern Powerhouse Minister, his spouse and their two sons and baby daughter were in Anglesey when his wife Alice was rushed to Bangor Hospital for an emergency operation.

Then one of the Rossendale and Darwen MP’s three children under three began displaying coronavirus symptoms.

As a result of the lockdown on March 14, the couple were unable to leave the house he owns on the North Wales island close to where his parents live.

Mrs Berry, who gave birth two months ago to a daughter, is now recuperating and back with the family and his son has recovered from the Covid-19 symptoms.

The Tory MP has continued with his constituency work from Anglesey but been unable to go to Westminster or East Lancashire because of the tight lockdown restrictions on movement still in place in Wales.

A spokesman for Mr Berry, who quit as a minister in February, said: “During a visit to Wales a family member of Mr Berry started showing signs of coronavirus, this visit was prior to the government decision to lockdown.

“They followed NHS advice to self-isolate and were self-isolating as lockdown came in.

“They have stayed in Wales during lockdown and continue to follow government guidelines.

“Jake and his family continue to comply with UK and Wales guidance on lockdown.

“He continues to work tirelessly on behalf of his constituents, helping them with the issues that have arisen during the outbreak of coronavirus.”

Mr Berry told the Lancashire Telegraph: “Anyone who has had young children will know that caring for three under threes because your wife is in hospital is very challenging.

“On top of that I continued to do all my constituency work as MP for Rossendale and Darwen.”

Mr Berry was elected in May 2010 serving in ministerial roles before deciding to leave government in Prime Minster Boris Johnson’s last reshuffle to spend more time with his wife and young family.

Anglesey’s MP Virginia Crosbie posted on Facebook: “ A few people have been in touch with me regarding the MP Jake Berry living here in the island.

“Mr and Mrs Berry have been living here in the island since February. They have a very young family - with three children aged three and under.

“Sadly Mrs Berry has been ill in Bangor Hospital for a month - so understandably the family has kept a very low profile.

“The Berry's have been here since before the lockdown was announced and they have assured me that they have followed all Welsh government guidelines. Apart from visiting Bangor Hospital Mr Berry has not left the island since before lockdown back in March.

“I would like to thank all those in the community that have supported the Berry’s during what has been and is a very difficult time.”

Mr Berry’s majority at the last election was 9,522 over Labour candidate and Rosendale Council leader Alyson Barnes.