THREE new MPs from Leicestershire have started work in Westminster.

Labour's Liz Kendall and Conservative MPs Andrew Bridgen and Nicky Morgan all began new jobs in the Houses of Parliament yesterday.

Their careers began on a day of edgy drama in London as the three main parties sought to knock out a deal on who would run the country.

Ms Kendall, Leicester West MP, said she spent her first day learning her way round the corridors of power, but added she would be travelling back to the East Midlands today.

"I was told by one old-hand MP that when the House is sitting it's good to spend as much time as you can just watching, listening and learning," she said.

"But he also said not to be overawed by the place. It's just another place of work and my job here is for the people of Leicester West."

Ms Kendall won her seat, vacated by Patricia Hewitt, with a 4,000-vote majority in Thursday's election.

She admitted that coalition negotiations between the three big parties formed a dramatic backdrop to her first day.

"I've always thought that I needed to focus on what actions I can take, which are in my control, and not to worry about the stuff I can't do anything about," she said.

"Yes, the House of Commons is vital. and yes, we are in Westminster, but running the constituency office and the commitments I made to people in Leicester are a top priority."

Mr Bridgen won North West Leicestershire for the Tories, while Nicky Morgan wrestled Loughborough away from Labour's Andy Reed.

Mrs Morgan said: "I think we are all in awe of the Palace of Westminster and the Houses of Parliament – we've seen them as a member of public and now we are seeing them from the other side.

"Today was a matter of getting e-mail addresses and computers sorted out so that we can hit the ground running but we've also been very aware of the historical nature of what's been happening."