THE county's version of the Brown-Mandelson feud has ended.

The bitter relationship between Chancellor Gordon Brown and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson is legendary.

It dates back to the days after the death of former Labour leader John Smith. Mr Mandelson had to choose whether to back Tony Blair or Mr Brown for the leadership. The rest is history.

Worcester Labour MP Mike Foster and Bromsgrove Tory MP Julie Kirkbride have also had an abrasive relationship. They have clashed several times in the Commons.

But the confrontations are far less personal. They reflect the political gulf that divides father-of-three Mr Foster and Miss Kirkbride, who recently gave birth to a son, Angus.

The two MPs, though, were recently spotted chatting amiably.

Jules and I had a good long chat he other evening about childcare, admits the City MP.

I was talking to her about her having a second child.

Politically, we are poles apart. But we are humans with young families and, therefore, she now has something in common with me.