CELEBRATIONS were held as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn travelled to Newport to congratulate the city's new MP Ruth Jones.

Mr Corbyn visited the Pill Millennium Centre this morning to celebrate Mrs Jones' election as the new MP for Newport West.

Speaking at the event, the Labour leader applauded Mrs Jones, saying her predecessor Paul Flynn - whose death last month triggered the by-election - "would be very proud of you".

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Labour leader congratulates new Ruth Jones MP for Newport West

"This is a result for Welsh Labour, but it is also an endorsement of everything Paul Flynn did in his many, many years as MP for Newport West," he said.

He added: "I know you're going to be the most brilliant representative for the people of Newport as is Jessica (Newport East MP Jessica Morden), because the people of Newport deserve that."

Mr Corbyn also said the result was also a condemnation of the UK Government's austerity programme.

"It's the job of the Labour Party to unite people, whether they voted leave or remain, against a government which is impoverishing so many people and denying so many young people real opportunities in a society that could deliver for all, but is so good and delivering for the few and the very wealthiest few," he said.

Mrs Jones thanked those who had helped in the campaign, saying: "This is a Labour victory."

"You are the people who have won this campaign," she said. "It's not me - I'm the figurehead, but we all did it together, we are a team. Thank you so much for all your help and all your efforts over the past six weeks and beyond."

The Welsh Government's deputy minister and chief whip Jane Hutt was also at the event, and applauded campaigners for their efforts.

And she praised Mrs Jones, saying: "Every time I've come to Newport West I've met people who've known Ruth.

"Ruth has throughout the campaign stayed so composed and so calm. She's been an exemplary candidate. She is going to be a fantastic MP and we are so proud of her."

First minister Mark Drakeford was unable to attend the event, but sent his congratulations via Twitter, saying Mrs Jones would be "an outstanding representative in Parliament".