THREE teenagers had tea with Cherie Blair and toured Westminster, thanks to the efforts of their MP.

Redcar MP Vera Baird was asked by the Prime Minister's wife to nominate three pupils from schools in her constituency to meet her and Mr Blair and have tea at 10 Downing Street.

Mrs Baird chose 14-year-olds Sarah Lester and Jenna Pengilley and 15-year-old Helen Wall, who are members of the school council at Gillbrook Technology College, in Eston.

The girls and their families travelled by plane from Teesside to London and made their way to the House of Commons, where they enjoyed a tour of the newly opened Westminster Hall visitor centre and watched a debate in the House of Commons.

Then they met Mrs Baird in the House of Commons before walking with her into Downing Street.

They met Tony Blair as he dashed to a meeting of senior cabinet members and spent an hour chatting with Mrs Blair before they were shown round Number 10.