THE trill of mobile phones can be heard in most places - restaurants, buses, trains and even libraries.

But Dr Richard Taylor did not expect one to go off in the chamber of the House of Commons - particularly in the middle of his Maiden Speech.

The independent MP was about 30 seconds into his speech, a landmark in the life of a new MP, and was just getting into his stride when the mystery mobile rang.

And, although he was most definitely not the culprit, he still earned a rebuke from the Deputy Speaker.

Because the speaker had got to his feet to tell the culprit off and Dr Taylor had not sat down fast enough.

He boomed: "The honourable gentleman must resume his seat when I am on my feet.

"Someone's mobile phone is going off; we really cannot have that."

Dr Taylor was not put off, though, and went on to give a memorable 10-minute speech.

Highlights included praise for the Horse Fair cafe in Kidderminster ("the best election breakfast") and the "magnificent" strawberries of Wyre Forest.

He also described his constituency to MPs, stating "I don't think that anyone knows where it is".

Dr Taylor said: "The large towns are Kidderminster, known for its carpets, for the Harriers and for the Severn Valley Railway; Stourport known for its docks, being the Blackpool for the Birmingham residents, and Bewdley, sadly known for its floods but also for its festival."

He signed off by revealing he had completed the reshuffle of the shadow cabinet for the Independent party - which numbers one.

"I have already appointed myself my party's shadow health spokesman, against little competition."