I am delighted to wish everyone in the Devizes constituency a very Happy Christmas and a successful New Year.

2002 will be a year of challenge for us all.

In the wake of foot and mouth there is still a lot of rebuilding of our local economy to do.

Not only were many of our farms devastated, but many businesses were hit as well. Our tourist industry suffered as did many of our local retailers.

We will need help to get completely back on our feet again, and I will continue to make sure that the voice of rural Wiltshire is heard loud and clear in the chambers of Westminster and the corridors of Whitehall.

The importance of our villages and towns to our overall quality of life, the shops, the pubs, our community facilities, all need constant re-stressing and promoting.

Our way of life is under pressure and we will all need to make our voices heard if we are to preserve it.

The New Year will also be a year of re-organisation.

Further changes in our local health provision are taking place. We will see further changes to our constituency boundaries being discussed.

We will all have to try to ensure the outcome of change is for the better.

We are privileged to live in such a wonderful part of England. So it is with confidence that I send my best wishes for the coming year.

MICHAEL ANCRAM MP