There's a consolation prize in store for whoever comes second in this year's Apprentice... They will be offered a job by Essex County Council, according to reports.

Those of you muttering 'binman' should know that the job will specially-tailored to the strengths of the runner-up...

Claire Young, Lee McQueen, Helene Speight and the typing-error-sounding Alex Wotherspoon will all compete for a job at Amstrad firm in Wednesday's final. Council leader Lord Hanningfield said: "Essex County Council is as ambitious as any private company. We unashamedly want the best and brightest to come and work for us. Perceptions need to change. Working in local government is every bit as challenging and rewarding, if not more so, than the private sector."

He added: "Sir Alan Sugar's company is based right here in Essex (WHAT?!!! Not in the gherkin?!) - so this is about the ambition of the county as a whole, both private and public sector working together, to deliver the best possible quality of life for the people of Essex." The Apprentice final goes out tomorrow, 9pm on BBC One.

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