EAST Lancashire might be a long way from the sea, but it hasn’t stopped a local MP ‘joining’ the Royal Navy.

MP for Darwen and Rossendale Jake Berry has signed up for the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme as a Royal Naval Reservist.

The scheme is a privately-run programme to give MPs experience of the Armed Forces, with the aim of improving the quality of debate on military issues by exposing its members to first-hand experience.

Mr Berry was enlisted at the Royal Navy’s Whale Island base in Portsmouth.

He said: “It is hugely important that MPs understand the commitment and hard work of our Armed Forces.

“They make a fantastic contribution. It will be a privilege to serve with them.”

He said he was looking forward to an ‘exciting year’, with trips to trouble spots including Afghanistan’s Camp Bastian and the Falkland Islands coming up.

“Unfortunately I won’t be going off to chase Somali pirates anytime soon,” he joked.

Mr Berry was also given a tour of HMS Dragon, a Type-45 destroyer.

He said: “I’ve had a fantastic day at a fantastic facility.”

As an under-graduate member of the scheme, Mr Berry must spend at least 22 days in his new role this year.