MOST East Lancashire MPs voted to press ahead with the process for leaving the European Union.

Five out the six MPs voted to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty allowing Britain’s exit from the EU to begin. Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry suffered a ‘serious’ asthma attack in the debate and so was unable to take part in a vote to send the bill to the next stage.

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Once Mr Berry recovered he was able to take part in a vote to back Prime Minster Theresa May’s timetable for beginning the exit process by the end of March.

He said: “I was pleased to be able to make it back into the House of Commons to make the crucial final vote which set out the timetable for Britain to leave the European Union.

“I have suffered from asthma since I was a child and anyone who has this condition knows how debilitating an attack is.

“However, after receiving medical attention, I’m happy to confirm that I will be fighting fit for the many votes that will come next week as we finalise this important piece of legislation which confirms the result of the referendum.”

Overall MPs backed the government’s European Union Bill by 498 votes to 114. The SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats opposed the bill while 47 Labour MPs and Tory ex-chancellor Ken Clarke also went against it.

Yesterday Brexit secretary David Davis set out the strategy for UK’s withdrawal in a keenly-awaited 77-page white paper.

Burnley MP Julie Cooper said in Parliament: “The decision to leave the EU has weighed ​heavy on us all.

“I campaigned to remain in the EU not because I thought the EU was perfect but because I did not want the UK to close its doors and shut itself off.

“My constituents voted 66 per cent in favour of leaving the EU.

“Because I respect my constituents and the democratic process, I will vote to trigger Article 50, but I will not vote blindly for a Brexit deal that leaves my constituents poorer or worse off. I believe we must now seize the moment and all work together.”