ISLE of Wight MP Andrew Turner was today recovering in hospital after suffering a serious stroke.

The conservative MP was taken ill after a meeting on the island on Friday.

The 53-year-old, who has represented the Isle of Wight since 2001, was was taken to St Mary's Hospital in Newport but later transferred by ambulance and ferry to Southampton.

A spokesman for St Mary's said Mr Turner was admitted and underwent scans.

He said: ''After consultation with neurological surgery in Southampton, he was transferred to Southampton General Hospital's neurological Unit by ambulance and ferry.

''He has had a serious stroke but he is starting to improve and he has started to communicate but he is clearly unwell.''