A WORCESTERSHIRE MP involved in the Brexit negotiations says he wants to see more British-influenced schools be set up abroad.

Mark Garnier, a minister in the new Department for International Trade, says the UK's reputation for world class education must be capitalised on even outside the EU.

As the Worcester News revealed last week, the Conservative MP has been given seven specific responsibilities under his new role when it comes to securing trade deals around the world.

One of his key seven themes is education, and the role Britain can play in the development of new schools, colleges and universities around the world.

The Wyre Forest MP, who went to Thailand and Burma two weeks ago for early trade talks with leading government officials, says Britain's reputation for education cannot be underestimated.

"The education piece of the work I'm involved in now is absolutely fascinating," he said.

"It deals with areas like setting up British schools abroad and making sure our education can prosper in terms of international investment and trade.

"British education gives us a lot of 'soft power' in the world, if people are educated under a British brand what that actually does is give them a soft affection for the country.

"They speak your language and are more likely to understand and share you values, and want to do business with it."

There are currently 264 British schools abroad in 75 countries, which teach 135,000 pupils a year and employ 15,000 teachers.

But ministers have long felt that Britain's dominance in the sector has huge potential given the reputation for quality education - and that other leading economies like America and China are becoming competitors.

It has also emerged how Mr Garnier's role includes responsibility over trade deals involving the BBC, films and computer games.

All three topics come under his theme of 'creative industries' alongside the arts post-Brexit.

The department is headed by International Trade Secretary Liam Fox.