AN aspiring MP in Worcestershire got to rub shoulders with showbiz after coming face-to-face with the latest winner of BBC1 show The Apprentice.

Nigel Huddleston, who is standing for the Tories in Mid-Worcestershire, got to meet Australian-born business star Mark Wright, who took the TV series by storm.

Mr Wright, a digital marketing executive, is now Sir Alan Sugar's latest business partner after he won the contest.

Mr Huddleston, who is aiming to keep the Mid-Worcestershire seat blue once current MP Sir Peter Luff retires this spring, happens to work for Google and met The Apprentice's top dog to debate how the internet age is affecting private companies.

It so happens that Mr Wright's work has already expanded into Worcestershire, as he has helped Wood Norton Hotel, near Evesham, develop a web marketing strategy during his path to success.

The 25-year-old's win meant Lord Sugar put £250,000 into his business, a website he wants to set up known as Climb Online aimed at helping employers rise up the internet search engines.

Mr Huddleston's Google job, which is on hold pending the election outcome, is head of travel - trying to make sure organisations like holiday firms and tourism promoters have a working relationship with the US giant.

Mr Huddleston said: "It was great to meet Mark and hear about his experience on the Apprentice and also about the new digital advertising agency he is building.

"Mark is just as energetic in real life as he appeared on the Apprentice show so I can see why Lord Sugar chose him.

"He is passionate about the internet and his new business is geared towards helping both large and small companies exploit online business opportunities."

Mr Huddleston will be contesting the seat against Liberal Democrat Councillor Margaret Rowley and UKIP's Richard Keel, with the Labour Party and Greens expected to stand candidates too.