TRADEMARK accessories seem to be the must-have for MPs in the Finchley and Golders Green consistency.

In its former guise as just Finchley, former Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher became renowned for carrying an iconic handbag when on official duty.

And in the tradition of investing in compact and durable accompaniments, MP Mike Freer has invested in an equally distinctive vehicle for publicity – a 20-year-old campervan.

The van, which can sleep four and has a toilet, washroom and kitchen area, has been bought through fundraising to be used as a mobile advice surgery to meet voters.

Mr Freer believes it will be a practical way of getting out into the community and ensure he is interacting with people from all areas.

He said: “I’ve been running advice surgeries since the week after I was elected, but it isn’t always easy for constituents to come to me, especially those without cars. So I thought I’d come to them.

“I’ll be taking the mobile surgery all over the constituency in the coming months on top of the weekly advice sessions in my constituency office.”

He hopes to commit at least one weekend a month to the journeys in the Fiat campervan, which will be adorned with banners reading “Mike Freer MP – A local champion for Finchley and Golders Green”.

The debut surgery took place in Finchley Central on Saturday, and residents were able to meet with Mr Freer on a one-to-one basis.

Horse vans, taxis and caravans are used by MPs in more rural locations to host surgeries, but Mr Freer believes this is a first for a city MP.

But as Baroness Thatcher's reputation lead her to become known as the Iron Lady, Mr Freer will be hoping he does not acquire the tag of the rusty van man.