A WORCESTERSHIRE MEP has spoken of his delight about a potential trade deal with Australia - despite concern about a dire shortage of skilled negotiators to make it happen.

James Carver, who is based in Worcester, has urged Theresa May to leap on the words of Aussie Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and strike an agreement.

During the G20 summit the Australian leader handed the PM a big boost by calling for a "very strong, very open" historic trade deal in the aftermath of Brexit.

The Government is embroiled in desperate efforts to recruit more trade negotiators after admitting to having virtually none following the referendum vote.

Britain is unable to negotiate any of its own trade deals within the EU as the agreements are all handled in Brussels, meaning for 40 years there has been no need to employ any within the civil service.

Last week it emerged that nations such as New Zealand and Canada have agreed to lend Britain scores of skilled trade negotiators, amid fears the UK Government faces its biggest manpower crisis since the Second World War.

Mr Carver, a UKIP politician, said: "I have always said we should have trade deals with our Commonwealth friends and in the wake of Brexit this will now be possible.

"For too many decades we have been tied down to the failing EU trading bloc but now we can begin to draw up trade deals with whichever country we like.

"We have particularly close ties with Australia and I am delighted their Prime Minister is very keen that we should have a trade deal as soon as possible.

"It is, however, extremely worrying that because we've not been able to negotiate our own trade deals for more than 40 years we do not have experienced negotiators.

"That is a dilemma, and one the Government must address as a matter of urgency."

Whitehall only has around 20 staff of its own capable of exploring trade deals, with the European Commission employing 600 workers to do the negotiating on behalf of the entire EU bloc.

It means Mrs May faces a race against time to find people capable and experienced enough to come to the UK's aid, especially once the formal two-year process for Brexit - known as Article 50 - is triggered.

Mr Carver represents the West Midlands region in the European Parliament.