MICHAEL Foster has stepped up to the most demanding job of his Westminster career so far.

The Worcester MP announced, this morning, that he had joined the Northern Ireland Office as a Parliamentary aide to Peter Hain.

Mr Hain was promoted to Northern Ireland Secretary in the post-election reshuffle, at the same time as Mr Foster stood down from his job in the Department for Education and Skills.

Mr Foster, who had been seeking a position on a select committee, was contacted by Mr Hain this week with the offer of the post.

It places Mr Foster in the frontline of one of the most sensitive and demanding areas of Government at a time when the Good Friday Agreement is coming under intense strain.

He said he would be acting as the "eyes and ears" of Mr Hain in Westminster and would liaise with all Northern Ireland MPs.

Mr Foster, who worked with former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam in 1998/9, said: "I was surprised but delighted to be offered the job by Peter Hain. It will be an honour to work again on Northern Ireland matters.

"There are huge challenges ahead for politicians of all sides to work to sustain the peace brought about by the Good Friday Agreement."

"I had my first meeting at the Northern Ireland Office today and I am looking forward to the challenges set out for me."

Mr Foster's new position as a Parliamentary Private Secretary is at the same grade as the one he has held at the DfES since 2001.

After four years, the former lecturer resigned from that post last week as he sought a new challenge.

His departure from the DfES also coincided with the appointment of fellow Worcestershire MP Jacqui Smith to Schools Minister.