The newly-elected MP for Braintree showed his support for the town’s rugby club at the weekend when he popped in to lend a helping hand to volunteers taking part in NatWest RugbyForce 2015.

The weekend-long event, which is in its third year, aims to unite clubs across England in getting behind the national team as they prepare to host this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Volunteers were encouraged to report for duty at Braintree’s Robbs Wood ground to help carry out maintenance and repairs.

More than two dozen club members gave up their time at the weekend to help carry out a variety of chores, and were delighted when local MP James Cleverly called in to show his support.

Braintree chairman Barrie Winwood said: “It was a great effort by all those who turned up and we got a lot of work done.

“We stripped all the old paint off the pitch-side railings and re-painted them, which pretty much took all day from 10am until 5.30pm.

“But we also deep-cleaned the kitchen area and did a stock-take, as well as getting our car park freshly marked out with parking bays in exchange for a pitch-side advertising board.

“It was nice to see James Cleverly pop down to the club for a chat and to show his support. We were able to tell him about the very strong links between Braintree RUFC and the local community.”