Craig Smith, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for North West Leicestershire, has raised the concerns of residents in a village about planned development arising from the introduction of a freeport.

Smith, who is also a Leicestershire County Councillor, met with cabinet minister Laura Trott as she visited the constituency earlier this week.

Ms Trott, who is Chief Secretary to the Treasury, heard from Mr Smith about villagers in Diseworth who will be affected by construction surrounding the government's planned East Midlands Freeport.

Coalville-based councillor Smith said: "Whilst there are clear economic advantages to freeports they cannot come at the expense of the lives on small communities that will take all of the pain and little of the gain.

"Government needs to ensure that freeports are commissioned in suitable places and their impact is effectively mitigated.

"I made it very clear to Ms Trott that freeport boards and developers must have meaningful conversations with representatives of affected villages every step of the way.

"In many ways Laura's constituency is like North West Leicestershire, I know that she understands the impact that development can have on residents and am confident that she will take the concerns of villagers back to the highest echelons of government."

Mr Smith has pledged to continue being a strong voice for village residents and is due to meet members of the East Midlands Freeport board later this week where he will continue to put their case forward.