A WORCESTERSHIRE MP has called for "visa-free travel" with the European Union after the Brexit process has finished.

Nigel Huddleston has made a plea to ministers to lobby EU states over it, saying easy access into the bloc will benefit both sides.

The Tory, who represents Mid-Worcestershire, worked as a travel executive at Google before entering parliament and has made tourism one of his key themes.

Mr Huddleston's request comes at a time when ministers are considering how to make it easier for Brits to holiday in countries like France and Spain post-Brexit.

British passport holders can currently travel throughout all EU member states without having to apply for short-term visas, although there are serious questions over the future arrangements.

Mr Huddleston, questioning Brexit minister David Jones in parliament, said: "About nine million Brits will visit France this year, 15 million will visit Spain, about 4.5 million French will visit the UK and about 2.5 million Spaniards.

"Will the Government be seeking visa-free travel for tourism across Europe post-Brexit?

"And in those negotiations will he be making it clear that it's very much in our European friends' interests to do so?"

Mr Jones said the issue is being examined, with the ultimate aim being "frictionless" arrangements.

He said: "You are right to highlight the importance of the two-way tourist industry in Europe.

"These are issues we're considering, but I can assure you our aim is frictionless arrangements."

Meanwhile Worcester MP Robin Walker has welcomed the introduction of the Brexit bill into parliament, saying it will allow the Government to press on.

Mr Walker is also a Brexit minister, and is expected to get heavily involved in the Bill over the coming weeks.

"The publication of the bill is good thing, it's very straightforward and allows us to take matters forward," he said.

The Government was forced to draw up the legislation after losing an appeal at the Supreme Court this week, when judges ruled that parliament must give permission to start the Brexit process.

The bill proposes that: "The Prime Minister may notify, under Article 50(2) of the Treaty on European Union, the United Kingdom's intention to withdraw from the EU."