Hereford's Liberal Democrat MP, Paul Keetch has flown to Washington DC to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama as 44th President of the United States. He is paying for the visit himself and has been invited to the inauguration by members of the Democratic Party.

"I was fortunate enough to have been in the US for the elections last November and heard Barack Obama speak the day before polling day, so I am delighted to have been invited to hear him sworn in as President," said Mr Keetch. "It truly is an historic event and I am very lucky to be there."

Mr Keetch will attend an eve of inauguration black tie ball, the inauguration and a party with Democrat Party staff. He will fly back to the UK on Wednesday.