FAUX New Labour MP Alan B'Stard brought his distinct brand of charm to the streets of Malvern this week.

A flu-struck Rik Mayall took his comic creation on a vote-canvassing mission on Tuesday, May 15, drawing looks of shock and amusement in equal measure along the way.

B'Stard, the loathsome former Tory, was in town to publicise The New Statesman, at Malvern Theatres until Saturday.

As an exercise it proved a great success, B'Stard catching the eye by posing inappropriately with the Elgar Statue, offering money to children, and quite literally stopping traffic while he conducted a photo call in the middle of Church Street.

Inbetween cursing journalists for getting in the way of his photos and photographers for missing the best shots, B'Stard even found time to launch a charm offensive on town centre shoppers.

As a fan of The New Statesman television programme, Janet Brown recognised B'Stard straight away.

"I said it was nice to meet him, and he held my hand and tried to take my rings off my finger," she said. "I think I might vote for him if he stood for election - he might be more fun than the real ones."

Elizabeth Evans said B'Stard would have his work cut out as a Labour politician in the region. "He is trying hard and he seemed a nice, bright man, but I don't think he would have much chance here," she said.

B'Stard was also a hit with Julia Hayes, despite trying to bribe her children Ben and Lucy with a £20 note. "I would absolutely vote for Alan in a few years time - he was hilarious," she said.

After completing his tour B'Stard headed back to Malvern Theatres, stopping a few more cars enroute for good measure.

Read a review of The New Statesman, starring Rik Mayall as Alan B'Stard in this Friday's Malvern Gazette. For ticket information call 01684 892277.