THE deputy head boy of a North-East school last night questioned Prime Minister Tony Blair over his controversial plans for student tuition top-up fees.

Lee Keenan, 16, of Thomas Hepburn Community School, in Gateshead, confronted Mr Blair during his visit to St James's Park, Newcastle, where he attended the launch of the Northern branch of the Institute for Public Policy Research.

Lee said: "The rich will be able to afford fees, but the middle classes will be left stranded."

Mr Blair, who faces a crucial Commons vote on the issue next week, said: "I think the middle classes will actually do pretty well out of it. They do not pay up front, but do not pay back like ordinary debt."

He faced questions on issues from about 55 delegates selected from a cross-section of the community.

Earlier, the Prime Minister took time out from opening a £2m hospital to sign a blushing nurse's birthday card.

He was opening Hexham General Hospital, in Northumberland, which was built in a private finance initiative scheme.

During his tour, he was asked by nurse Pam Younger to sign a card for her colleague, Sister Carol Beldon, who was 55 yesterday.