Croydon South MP Richard Ottaway has taken over Andrew Pelling's casework after it emerged he would be absent for some time while he is treated for clinical depression.

Mr Pelling announced that he was standing down as Croydon Central MP last year, after he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his pregnant second wife, Lucy.

The charges were dropped a month later but in the meantime he was suspended from the Conservative party. He took sick leave at the beginning of January.

Speedy recovery

Mr Ottaway said he had been given authority by the House of Commons to take over responsibility for Croydon Central.

"I would like to assure my Croydon South constituents that this additional responsibility will not affect the service which my office provides for them. Additional staff arrangements are being put in place," he said.

"I am sure that we all hope that Andrew will soon be feeling well enough to take up his responsibilities again and we wish him a speedy recovery."

He said surgeries would be held on a regular basis and appointments could be made by calling the Croydon Central office on 020 7219 8472.