ISLE of Wight MP Andrew Turner was recovering in Southampton General Hospital today after suffering a stroke.

The 53-year-old Conservative MP who has represented the Isle of Wight since 2001, was taken ill after a meeting on the Island on Friday, a spokesman for St Mary's Hospital in Newport said.

"Mr Turner was taken to St Mary's by ambulance, admitted and scanned," the spokesman explained.

"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."