New MP David Cameron has called for the re-opening of the railway from Witney and attacked his predecessor, Shaun Woodward, in his maiden Commons speech.

The Tory member for Witney said: "Witney itself was for years dominated by blankets, beer and its railway.

David Cameron "There remains just one blanket factory, the beer is predominantly brewed elsewhere and the railway is closed. I will always support moves to examine re-opening our railway to Oxford and extending the line to Carterton."

He said west Oxfordshire was now a "beacon of enterprise and success". He highlighted the presence of the Arrows and Benetton Formula One teams in the area, claiming: "We are becoming the Grand Prix capital of the world."

Mr Cameron spoke of the damage done by foot and mouth, despite the fact there had been no cases in the constituency. A recovery plan for the countryside, which had been virtually closed for the epidemic, was needed, he said.

And Mr Cameron highlighted the fact that Chipping Norton is home to the kennels of the Heythrop Park hunt.

He said: "There is a long tradition of hunting in west Oxfordshire. I will always stand up for the freedom of people in the countryside to take part in traditional country sports and would be concerned about limits on debate on a hunting bill that would curtail freedom."

He then spoke of former MP Shaun Woodward who defected from the Tories to Labour in December 1999 and is now MP for St Helen's South.

Mr Cameron heaped ironic praise on his predecessor.

"I know that he worked hard for people in west Oxfordshire and must have felt strongly to leave such a magnificent constituency with such friendly and welcoming people," he said.

Mr Cameron then turned to Mr Woodward's much-publicised mansion and butler saying: "He remains a constituent and a not insignificant local employer, not least in the area of domestic service. We are, in fact, close neighbours. On a clear day from the hill behind my cottage I can almost see some of the gleaming spires of his great house."