The potential of Swindon is not being fulfilled, a shadow cabinet member has said on a visit to the town.

Jonathan Reynolds visited Swindon last week to speak to businesses in the town ahead of Thursday's local elections.

The Labour MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, in Manchester, said he had spoken to people running businesses in a number of sectors including life sciences, manufacturing and education.

He said: “The sense is that Swindon is not everything that it could be and we need national and local policy to address some significant challenges.”

One of those policies, Mr Reynolds said is to “make Brexit work”.

He added: “That’s not about re-opening the arguments we’ve already had. Businesses need stability and confidence to be able to invest, but we have practical trade-based policies.

“We want to re-join the Horizon research scheme, we want to agree a professional qualifications recognition scheme so lawyers and accountants and the like can operate across borders, we want a veterinary agreement to make trade in animal products easier and labour mobility.

“This isn’t free movement, but it would allow people in the creative industries if they’re going on tour, or even school trips to or from the EU to travel much more easily.”

The local elections in Swindon will be held on Thursday, May 4.