A Bedfordshire MP who campaigned to have the abortion time limit lowered has lost her bid in the House of Commons.

But Nadine Dorries, whose Mid Beds constituency includes Toddington and Harlington, vowed to fight on after branding MPs "out of touch with the views of the public."

Ms Dorries had hoped to see the upper limit for abortions reduced from 24 weeks to 22, but her hopes were scuppered on Tuesday when MPs voted against her proposal.

Among those to back the 24 week limit were Luton MPs Margaret Moran and Kelvin Hopkins, who represent the Luton South and Luton North constituencies respectively.

But Ms Dorries was supported in her 20 week bid by fellow Tory Andrew Selous, who voted in favour of lowering the limit.

After the decision was announced, she said she was disappointed, and said: "I have a great deal of sympathy when people say politicians - and MPs in particular - are out of touch with the views of the public.

"Opinion polls consistently show that the public wants to see a reduction in the upper limits for abortions, which is already one of the highest in Europe, yet yesterday (Tuesday) the majority of MPs defied the views of the majority of their constituents and voted for the status quo."

In a fraught build-up to the Parliamentary vote, Ms Dorries said she had been inundated with hate male, and had notified the police about a number of threats made against her.