THE LEADER of the House of Lords was guest of honour at an annual fundraising dinner.

Lord Strathclyde gave an after-dinner speech at the Epping Conservative Association dinner at Chigwell Golf Club on Friday November 2.

Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing, who also attended the event, said: "Local councillors and party members and their friends greatly appreciated the opportunity to speak directly to a senior member of the cabinet and to question him about the government's plans.

"Lord Strathclyde gave an excellent speech and really inspired the guests.”