BOLTON'S MPs will not be appearing on a new television show called "Britain's Brainiest MP".

The show, from the makers of "Who Want's to Be A Millionaire", will be hosted by TV favourite Carol Vorderman. It will be put politicians on the spot in a bid to reveal the most intelligent ones.

Celador Productions has sent e-mails to parliamentarians of all parties asking them to take part and all Bolton MPs have been approached. But Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South East, Ruth Kelly, MP for Bolton North West, and David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East, said they would not be accepting the offer.

Kirsty Adams, assistant for David Crausby, said discussions among the MPs had concluded the quiz show was not appropriate in light of the current situation after the terrorist attacks in the US. She said: "The MPs believe it is too frivolous and indulgent. They feel that appearing on the show would be insensitive and people may wonder why they are spending time doing something like that when they have much more serious work to consider."

Dr Iddon said he was not keen on the idea of the show and asked: "How can they possibly establish who is the brainiest MP? I will not be taking part." The show claims it will achieve the unusual, by making MPs give a straight answer to questions.