THE PARENTS of a Swindon woman who was elected as a member of parliament for an area of London last week have spoken of their pride.

Heidi Alexander, 34, won the Lewisham East seat for Labour with a 6,000 majority.

Miss Alexander grew up in a house in Falmouth Grove and went to Lainesmead Infant and Junior School, Churchfields School and New College.

She also played netball for Lawn Netball Club and was a county player for Wiltshire too.

Her mother Elaine, who still lives in Falmouth Grove with husband Malcolm, an electrician, said: “We are very, very proud of her.

“But I have to say we are equally proud of her brother, Stuart, as well.

“I think it’s nice for the town, the local schools and the college to know that people from ordinary backgrounds do go on to achieve good things.

“It is possible if you set your heart on it and do it.”

She said her daughter had always been a high-flyer who got straight ‘A’s at school and even got the highest marks in the country for her geography A-level.

“She was always a real doer – she was involved in just about everything,” she said.

She went on to study geography at Durham University and graduated with a First before going on to complete a Masters in European Urban and Regional Change.

After her studies she moved to London in 1999 and went to work for Joan Ruddock MP as a parliamentary researcher and has been a local councillor in Lewisham since 2004.

She was deputy mayor and cabinet member for regeneration from 2006.

Mrs Alexander said had been up to London to help her daughter campaign for election and was there on the night of the count too.

She said: “It was so exciting.

“They didn’t announce the results until about 8am and she dashed straight off to call her dad to tell him the news.

“He couldn’t be there because he had an awful cold.

“She has worked so hard for the council there and really put her heart and soul into it. We are both very proud.”