A WORCESTERSHIRE MP has been handed a new job by David Cameron - to help build better links with Russia.

Harriett Baldwin has been appointed Britain's trade envoy to Russia by the Prime Minister after three years of work trying to bring the countries closer together.

Mr Cameron's office called Mrs Baldwin towards the end of last week to offer her the role, before the premier announced it during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Mrs Baldwin said: "I'm enormously honoured to be asked by the Prime Minister to take on this key role helping our country's exports to Russia to create jobs and growth here.

"Russia the UK’s fastest growing export market. I have seen this in my own constituency when I brought Russian visitors to Morgan Motors in Malvern.

"I will lead a trip to Russia in the spring to meet with fellow parliamentarians and I am particularly keen to hear from small and medium sized businesses who are keen to go into the Russian market for the first time."

Mrs Baldwin has already led a successful trade mission to Bryansk in Russia and helped lift a ban which will allow British farmers to sell their meat products there for the first time since 1992.

The MP, who represents West Worcestershire, has also hosted visits from regional governors and is fluent in Russian.