He described the last three years as "hell" until he was cleared of election fraud after a 10-week trial, but rest assured MP Craig Mackinlay has devoted plenty of time to getting involved in other matters within his constituency.

From cutting ribbons to ensuring the country has a special 50p coin to mark the UK's exit from the EU, the MP for South Thanet has found the time between hearings to send out more than 20 press releases - notes sent to the media - on his activities.

Highlights include sending "good wishes" and "welcoming funding", but here is a day-to-day look at what else Mr Mackinlay has been up to since the trial began until he was acquitted yesterday.

The trial kicked off on Monday, October 15 - the same day details of Mr Mackinlay joining scouts on a sponsored 'sleep out' three days prior were shared.

Then, on Thursday, October 18, Mr Mackinlay praised the Shell Grotto as "one of Margate's great little gems on the tourist trail in Thanet".

On Friday, October 19, the Conservative MP popped along to the two new post offices in Newington and Broadstairs to lend a hand cutting the ribbons.

Meanwhile in the House of Commons bar, Mr Mackinlay supped on a pint of beer brewed at the Four Candles in Broadstairs.

Then, on Thursday, October 25, Mr Mackinlay called for a cut in beer duty ahead of Monday's budget.

The MP then "welcomed" the axing of business rates on public toilets on Monday, October 29, on the same day he won the support of the government to have a commemoratative coin to mark Brexit on March 29.

The following day - Tuesday, October 30 - Mr Mackinlay "secured assurance" on glucose monitoring system prescription from East Kent NHS CCGs.

On Friday, November 2, he urged charity and community group leaders in his area to apply for a community grant worth up to £1,000 after Southern Water established a community grant panel in district.

With winter kicking in, Mr Mackinlay urged those living in South Thanet to get vaccinated to help protect themselves against flu on Friday, November 2.

Four days later on Tuesday, November 6, the MP "supported" Ageless Thanet 50+ festival.

Then, on Monday, November 12, Mr Mackinlay accompanied the Mayor of Broadstairs at the service of remembrance.

The same day, he also "sent good wishes" to Diwali celebrators at a gathering in Newington community Centre, attended Bradstow School's Poppy Proms in the Park presentation and joined residents at a poppy coffee morning at the Anchor pub in Wingham.

On Thursday, November 22, Mr Mackinlay sent out a release commenting on the Conservative stamp duty cut, which he says has helped first-time buyers in Thanet.

A revelation of the Rescuing Ramsgate's Rock Gardens project receiving £50,000 of funding prompted a release "welcoming" the news from the town's MP on Monday, November 26.

As December started, he cohosted the Small Business Saturday summit in Broadstairs - with details sent out on Monday, December 3.

Mr Mackinlay "supported" the Tesco food collection at Westwood Cross on Monday, December 3 too.

He then "welcomed modern industrial strategy support" for Sandwich Discovery Park on Thursday, December 6.

The next day - December 7 - Mr Mackinlay "hailed" new figures showing that UK exports have risen.

On Monday, December 10, he supported the charity Christmas concert at Holy Trinity Church, Broadstairs.

Then, on Friday, December 21, it was a triple-whammy as he made his annual festive trip to ex-Service residents at Maurice House in Broadstairs, revealed his Christmas card competition winner and took the children of the Rainbow Ward at QEQM Hospital a box of "quality" toys.

It was then a bit of a break before Mr Mackinlay's final release during trial.

On Tuesday, January 8, the MP announced that he backs the government's decision to hand Seaborne Freight a £13.8 million contract to run ferries from Ramsgate in the event of a no-deal Brexit.