Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has placed a charity bet on the Grand National.

The ex-soldier was invited by Ladbrokes in Bridgwater to place the £50 6/1 bet for his chosen charity, Help for Heroes.

He said: “It's a great charity to raise money for because there are a lot of people here whose kids are over-seas.

“I haven't been in a betting shop for about 25 years but I do Point to Point so I know about horses.

“This shop is so nice and clean, with fantastic staff, and is a welcome change from the smoky stores many years ago.”

Ian was in the Territorial Army, reaching the rank of Major and became a consultant to Army Land Command HQ in Salisbury and to the MOD in London.

He still maintains contact with his regiment and has visited Iraq and Afghanistan several times with British forces.