WANTAGE MP Ed Vaizey was yesterday promoted to the front bench of the Conservative Party for the first time.

Mr Vaizey, 38, was given the job of Shadow Arts Minister by Tory leader and fellow Oxfordshire MP David Cameron.

The appointment marks a rapid rise for the 38-year-old, who has only been an MP for 18 months.

Mr Vaizey's job will involve grilling ministers from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport across the floor of the House of Commons.

He will also act as the party's spokesman on issues ranging from the BBC licence fee, the switch from analogue to digital television, museums and galleries, arts in the regions, music and the wider creative industries. The MP, who was the first Tory politician to post 'podcasts' on his website, has also been given the responsibility for speaking on the Internet on the party's behalf.

Mr Vaizey, whose mother was an arts critic on the Sunday Times for many years, said: "I have always grown up around the arts world and feel relatively comfortable in it.

"I'm really looking forward to it. I believe design and good architecture are not only crucial to the country's economic well being but crucial to our quality of life too."