MP rushed to hospital on Christmas Day

Having received treatment for severe abdominal pain, he has since been released.

On Facebook he said: “Not had the best Christmas this year, but did get to see our wonderful NHS in action again.

“I was admitted to hospital by ambulance in the early hours of Christmas Day with severe abdominal pain – suspected pancreatitis or gastritis, but now diagnosed as cholecystitis. Now discharged but still recovering and will not be out and about for a few days.

“My huge thanks and gratitude to the wonderful NHS paramedics, doctors and nurses who were all working over the Christmas period and looked after me and the other patients in A&E and on the surgical ward so well.”

And Mr Stephenson said: “My poor health means I have been unable to see first hand the flooding across Pendle, however I have been sent many pictures by residents and councillors who have also kept me updated.

“It has been heartening to see how residents have pulled together during this difficult period. I have also been kept updated by the Environment Agency, Electricity North West and other bodies and have been forwarding residents’ problems on to relevant agencies.

“Very grateful to our incredible emergency services for everything they have done to help and my thoughts are with everyone affected. Rest assured I’ll continue to do what I can and in the New Year when hopefully I’ll be back to full health I will be fighting to ensure any action that needs to be taken is.”