LABOUR MP Gordon Prentice is a good Parliamentarian - at least according to one observer. And it was comments like that which led to him almost winning a prestigious award. Here, our man in Westminster BILL JACOBS finds out what makes the Pendle MP tick.

GORDON Prentice was relieved when he did not win the title Parliamentary Performer of the Year at a special Channel Four lunch.

He said he did not believe he deserved the accolade.

The Pendle Labour backbencher did not seek nomination for the prestigious award, and has no plans to do so this coming year. However, most at Westminster think he's every chance of carrying off the trophy.

Mr Prentice said: "I did not seek the nomination. I did not want it. I was put forward by my fellow MPs and then they all voted."

Mr Prentice was in good company with campaigning London Labour MP Steven Pound, Tory "awkward squad" member Eric Forth and Transport Committee Chairwoman Gwynneth Dunwoody -- the eventual winner.

Mr Prentice said: "I was in heavyweight company. I was the political pygmy among the finalists. It was quite the right decision. Gwynneth has been a major campaigner on rail safety, against the partial privatisation of air traffic control and was a credible candidate for the speaker."

Mr Prentice has a pretty good record of his own. It was primarily through his efforts that a statutory Right to Roam on uncultivated land has been won for ramblers. He has also been one of the leading agitators in favour of a ban on hunting and has keenly pursued the strange judicial appointment procedures of the Lords Chancellor, long before the latest "cash for wigs" scandal.

Mr Prentice has become a favourite of the Parliamentary sketch-writers in the national Press with his quirky ideas -- the latest this week being putting works of art from national galleries on display in railway stations, airports and cinema foyers. One senior sketch writer said: "We admire his originality and the passion of his arguments."

Mr Prentice said: "I was very pleased that Right to Roam is now law and that we have had a real opportunity to seek a ban on hunting.

"This year I shall be campaigning against the nonsense of people's peers. I don't see how ordinary people can be considered to be extraordinary and have a significant record of achievement as the legislation demands.I think we will end up with just the same group of the great and good as we always do. We need a fully elected second chamber of perhaps 100 members."

He added: ""I do the job to be a good Parliamentarian and represent my constituents. I just wish Tony Blair would listen more to the Parliamentary Labour Party. I've told him that we are the best focus group he has got. If he listened to MPs, who go out and meet constituents and people, rather than a small group of insiders, he would save himself a lot of trouble. The cutting of lone parents benefits, over which I resigned as a Parliamentary Private Secretary, is now universally considered to be a mistake, as was the derisory 75 pence pension increase."

Mr Prentice may not wish to win awards for his work -- but he is more likely to get them than promotion in New Labour.

Hyndburn MP and government whip Greg Pope said mischievously: "Gordon is an excellent parliamentarian and he is far more likely to win the top prize in the Channel Four awards than he is to become a minister!"

And Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans said: "Gordon is a splendid Parliamentarian. Unlike many new Labour MPs, he's not a clone. He's independent."