Clark made shadow energy minister

Greg Clark is a former director of policy for the party

Tory leader David Cameron has promoted Greg Clark to the shadow cabinet, in a limited reshuffle of his front bench.

Mr Clark, who had been shadow charities minister, becomes shadow secretary for energy and climate change.

The change is in response to Gordon Brown's creation of a new department, headed by Ed Miliband, last week.

Greg Barker and Charles Hendry, who had covered the climate and energy briefs in other departments, will be his shadow ministerial colleagues.

Meanwhile Nick Hurd, who had been a whip, replaces Mr Clark as shadow charities minister.

'Thrilled'

Mr Clark said the energy and climate change brief was "of vital importance".

He added: "I am thrilled and honoured to take on this role in shadow cabinet.

"David Cameron has led on this issue and I, together with Greg Barker and Charles Hendry, look forward to developing Conservative policies for a secure, sustainable and affordable energy supply."

Environmental groups have welcomed the creation of the new department to deal with energy and climate change.

There had previously been criticism that policy on the subjects had been split between two departments.