Number 10 visit for Steyning schoolboy

He and two other West Sussex pupils were VIP visitors to No. 10 on Thursday afternoon accompanied by Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert.

The teenagers '“ Ed Wise, 15, from Steyning Grammar School, Tom Richardson (15) from Downlands Community School and Claire Amaladoss, 13, from St Philip Howard Catholic High School '“ were each selected by their schools after Mr Herbert approached their headteachers to ask if they would like to recommend anyone for the visit.

Tom was selected because he is head boy of his school, Claire for her work as a member of the School Council, and Ed because of his interest in politics.

Mr Herbert met the students in Parliament and first gave them a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster, including the House of Commons. Then the group walked up Whitehall to Downing Street, where they had their photographs taken outside the famous black door, before going in to meet the Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Blair.

The children had tea with Mrs Blair and were then taken on a tour of No. 10, including the main state rooms, and the Cabinet Room.

Ed, who is studying for his GCSEs and hopes to take four A-levels, already knew Mr Herbert after he did work experience at his Westminster office last summer.

Ed said: "It was a fantastic visit. Cherie Blair seemed really interested in what we were doing

and spent a lot of time talking to us. I enjoy politics and like taking part in debates."

Commenting on the visit, Mr Herbert said: "I enjoyed meeting Claire and Tom. I already knew Ed because he came for some work experience in my office and was helpful, so I was pleased to be able to pay him back. I hope that they all enjoyed the visit and the tour '“ I certainly did."