With the lights dim and the sinister spiked shoes of Rosa Klebb dangling nearby, John Prescott looked dangerously like one of the ruthless schemers who battle eternally with agent 007 - James Bond.

But the big man with two Jaguars was too skilled to fall into most of the media elephant traps set yesterday at the launch of the biggest exhibition on Ian Fleming's hero ever held.

Clutching his Secret Agent swipe card, the first of hundreds of thousands expected to be issued at the National Museum of Photography, Film and TV in Bradford, the deputy prime minister ducked the chance to sit in M's chair or try on Oddjob's lethal bowler hat.

He also avoided the clutches of a bevy of Bond girls. Mr Prescott was prepared, however, to admire Bond's celebrated Aston Martin DB5, with its armoury of rockets, nails and ejector seat.

He also ventured an opinion over the debate - prompted by the exhibition which marks 40 years since 007 first appeared on screen - over which of five actors has been the best James Bond.

Firmly a Sean Connery man, Tony Blair's number two said: "I liked the early films. They were about acting rather than all about the technical stuff." But he admitted a fondness for the gadgets which fill the Bradford museum.

The exhibition includes props from the 19 films, plus hi-tech chances to dangle from San Francisco's Golden Gate bridge and other hair-raising stunts.

Veterans from the productions joined Mr Prescott at the launch, including Eunice Gayson who played Bond girl Sylvia Trench in the first film, Dr No.

"We had no idea what we were starting," she said, to nods of agreement from former RAF Wing Commander Ken Wallis, who designed and flew the autogyro, Little Nellie, in You Only Live Twice.

The exhibition opens today.