TOP gear MP Janet Anderson took part in the House of Commons v House of Lords go-karting contest and won a prize for her high-speed antics - despite losing every race.

She was given the award for trying to sneak an extra advantage by beginning the first race half-way round the circuit!

The Rossendale and Darwen MP was unrepentant and said it was just a question of her inexperience. She said she didn't realise where the start line was and couldn't have stopped anyway.

She said: "There I was, driving happily round with everyone waving at me. So I waved back.

"Eventually, someone virtually threw themselves in front of me and then they pushed me back to the start line. The Lords thrashed us. I lost every race, but at least I didn't fall off.

"But we did win two awards in the team. My fellow Whip Jim Dowd got one for the fastest lap and I got the special

prize for trying to start the first race from half-way round the track. It was really good fun."

The match was held at the Daytona Kart Track in London.

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