IN a few years time the name Emma Purcell might just be synonymous with the White House.

For the Prestwich student has been learning all about American politics from the leading contender in the US presidential election, Al Gore.

The 20-year-old former Bury Grammar School pupil has just returned from a summer trip to the States where she spent three weeks working for the Gore campaign in Los Angeles.

As well as undertaking a variety of tasks at the campaign headquarters, Emma, who is currently taking a degree in American Studies at Essex University, met Mr Gore and his running-mate, Joe Lieberman, and was introduced to their families. Emma, of Hereford Drive, said: "A friend and I were honoured to have guest passes to the Democratic Convention in LA and we saw Bill Clinton speak. We met Gore and Lieberman and mixed with all the big-wigs in the campaign.

"They were all really nice people."

Emma's meeting with the politicians was arranged by a close friends she worked for two years ago.

She added: "I spent a year in America as an au pair and as I was back over there this summer my former employer organised for us to go to the convention. The experience was amazing and I have made so many contacts that if Gore does get to the White House I could always get a job out there."

But politics was not always the subject of conversation.

"Lieberman asked how I enjoyed looking after his friend's children and praised British au pairs, saying they were very good," Emma continued.

Her only disappointment was not being able to meet Clinton himself.

"That would have been so cool!" she enthused.