Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper was at the district council's latest cabinet meeting as regeneration plans and ambitions for the area were discussed.

Cabinet members updated Mr Harper on the Five Acres and High Street regeneration projects with a view to finding ways of working together to secure growth for the Forest of Dean.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Tim Gwilliam, said: "The meeting was of enormous value to the Cabinet and the Council.

"To be able to discuss our ambitions with our MP and to in turn hear his views, advice and support is a valuable tool for any local authority.

"We brought him up to speed on our priority projects and he undertook to look into assisting us in delivering those.

"This Council wants to aim big and to achieve; Mr Harper's support will be vital to us in doing just that. I thank him for his time and look forward to further meetings."

While at the Coleford offices, Mr Harper also took some time to speak with work experience students and interns.

Dene Magna High School pupil Will Llewellyn was on a week of work experience that took in a wide variety of the council's work, including attending cabinet.

University of the West of England Masters student Matthew Green is on a 10-week internship with the council.

He will support the Forest of Dean's future ambitions for regeneration in his studies and gathering evidence to support project work, external funding bids.

Forest-born and bred, he is also contributing to the authority's strategy and plan-making efforts.

Mr Harper said: "I enjoyed having a robust and productive discussion with the District Council's Cabinet about their regeneration projects.

"I look forward to working with the council to increase visitor numbers, support local businesses by providing better facilities, as well as benefit families and communities through enhancing their use of the local landscape.

"It was great to meet Will and Matthew, and hear about their experience at the Council."