Former Brenwood and Ongar general election candidate Martin Bell is to become a humanitarian ambassador for Unicef.

The unpaid, part time job will involve the ex-broadcaster and one-time MP for Tatton visiting some of the most war-torn and disaster-hit areas of the world in a bid to raise the profile of Unicef's continuing battle against child poverty.

Mr Bell had attempted to remain in politics by winning the Brentwood and Ongar seat from Conservative Eric Pickles, claiming that the local Conservative association had been infiltrated by the Peniel Pentecostal Church.

His bid followed one term as representative for Tatton, in Cheshire, where he famously ousted "cash for questions" MP Neil Hamilton.

But despite slashing Mr Pickles' majority from 9,690 to 2,821, he failed to repeat that success, with Labour and Liberal Democrats declining to allow him a clear run at the seat.

A spokesman for Unicef, the United Nations children's fund, said: "We chose Martin for his experience covering wars and conflict situations. He is the ideal candidate if we need someone to go out to very difficult situations and get Unicef's message to the world."

His work for Unicef could see him being flown into areas such as Kosovo and Burundi to highlight the charity's work.

Mr Bell, known as the "man in the white suit", joins celebrities such as Jemima Khan, Robbie Williams and actor Ralph Fiennes in working on behalf of Unicef.

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