IT'S the picture the world's press has been waiting for - baby Leo Blair on his first public engagement. And a group of North-East youngsters has scooped them all.

Newspapers and magazines, such as Hello, would have paid a fortune for exclusive rights to record little Leo's big moment.

Instead, the public debut by the Prime Minister's son was snapped by the teenagers who happened to have their school's digital camera ready to record their own achievements for The Northern Echo's school report page.

Unaware they had a scoop, the team from St John's RC Comprehensive, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, even kept it under wraps for a week before submitting it to The Northern Echo.

Leo's parents, Tony and Cherie, chose informal pictures by Sir Paul McCartney's daughter Mary to show him off soon after his birth at the end of May.

The five-week-old tot and his mum were just as relaxed when they made a surprise appearance at a Prince's Trust award ceremony at Durham County Cricket Club, in Chester-le-Street.

Like he did on his first photocall, Leo found all the attention a big yawn and stayed asleep in his baby carrier while Cherie did what any proud mother would and indulged in some baby talk.

Leo had waited outside with a minder while she presented awards to seven County Durham schools taking part in an initiative to bridge the gap between school and work for children needing extra help.

Michelle Bennett, 14, questioned Mrs Blair while teacher Andria Fannon snapped away.

Michelle said: "The baby was gorgeous and Mrs Blair said he was a good baby who sleeps well. I think he looks like her."

A spokesman for Tony Blair's constituency office in Sedgefield said: "This was Leo's first visit to the North-East and there were no other public appearances. I am not surprised the children were charmed by him. He is a beautiful baby."