CONSERVATIVE MP Bill Wiggin is braced for a rough ride after being named Shadow Secretary of State for Wales.

Mr Wiggin has been moved from the environment brief he held under Ian Duncan Smith in a reshuffle announced by the new leader, Michael Howard, earlier this week.

The Conservatives have no seats in Wales, so the post was always going to go to an English MP.

However, Mr Wiggin, whose Leominster constituency takes in Ledbury and Bromyard, is not a stranger to Welsh politics. He served on the Welsh Affairs Select Committee and the Welsh Grand Committee, for MPs with Welsh connections or political interests in the principality.

Mr Wiggin, who attended the University of Bangor and served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, can also claim history is on his side - the late Hereford MP David Gibson-Watt served as Minister of State for Wales under Ted Heath.

Mr Wiggin said he was expecting a tough challenge in Wales but welcomed the appointment. He said it was crucial for the party to build up seats in the Principality.

He was yesterday (Thursday) due to travel to Cardiff to meet Conservatives serving on the Welsh Assembly.

"I'm getting a lot of flak, it's already started but it's a great opportunity," he said.

"Although we don't have any seats in Wales it means we can only do better."

Mr Wiggin said he had supported Mr Duncan Smith in the vote of confidence in his leadership but said there was a new sense of unity under Mr Howard. He said the party should be aiming to win the next General Election.

"I don't think people in my constituency can put their hands on their hearts and say things have got better under Labour," he said.