EAST Lancashire's five Conservative MPs have made clear they are relishing the challenge of campaigning to stay in Parliament after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a General Election on July 4.

The national poll will be fought on new constituency boundaries.

Rossendale and Darwen MP and former Northern Powerhouse minister Sir Jake Berry said: "We always knew an election was coming in the second half of this year, and I am ready for the campaign.

"Since the last election alone, I've delivered a record £250m for Rossendale and Darwen - in stark contrast with Labour, who neglected us for decades.

"I'm looking forward to speaking to residents across Rossendale and Darwen ahead of polling day, and will keep working hard for every single vote."

Hyndburn's Sara Britcliffe said: "It’s been an absolute privilege to serve as the member of parliament for my home of Hyndburn and Haslingden for the past four years.

"Together, by working with residents, we have worked to deliver positive changes across the constituency.

"I’ve done my very best to put Hyndburn and Haslingden back on the map after years of Labour decline and I hope that residents will put their faith in me again to continue with this positive vision for the future of our home"

Burnley's Antony Higginbotham said: "I’ve put my heart and soul into bringing something different to Burnley and Padiham. Making sure that for the first time in a long time our views are not ignored in Parliament. And that investment pours into level up parts of our borough which had been left to rot for years on end.

"All I ask is that you judge me not on the actions of anybody else but on what I have delivered.

" I’ll be putting forward my case for why we need to continue on this journey of change."

Ribble Valley's Nigel Evans, who will fighting a new Ribble Valley County seat without Clitheroe but including Woodplumpton and Fulwood in Preston, said:"I am delighted the Prime Minister has stopped all speculation and finally allows people to focus on the strength of Rishi Suna against Keir Starmer.

"Rishi has been and is a great leader for our country and especially for the Ribble Valley.

"In the unstable world, Rishi’s government have announced the UK will increase our defence spending to 2.5 per cent ensuring our country is best equipped to defend ourselves.

"This will be a huge boost for BAE Systems at the heart of the Ribble Valley.

"It is also under this government that myself and other local MPs successfully lobbied to have the Cyber Security Centre in the Ribble Valley. This was a huge achievement for Lancashire that will soon bring many highly-skilled and well-paid jobs to our area."

Current Pendle MP and health minister Andrew Stephenson who will be contesting a new Pendle and Clitheroe constituency said: "The choice at the election is clear: stick with the plan that is working, or go back to square one with Keir Starmer and the same old Labour.

"I am looking forward to getting out on the doorstep across Pendle and Clitheroe."

Blackburn Labour MP Kate Hollern has already said: "I welcome this generational opportunity to remove the Conservatives from office and deliver hope for the future of our country."