PUPILS from three Ipswich high schools have joined the Prime Minister and his wife Cherie for tea at Number 10 Downing Street.Stephanie Dawson, of Copleston High School, Anya Steward, of Chantry High School and Christopher Ling of Holywells High School, were invited by Mrs Blair to join her for a monthly tea party.

PUPILS from three Ipswich high schools have joined the Prime Minister and his wife, Cherie, for tea at Number 10 Downing Street.

Stephanie Dawson, of Copleston High School, Anya Steward, of Chantry High School and Christopher Ling of Holywells High School, were invited by Mrs Blair to join her for a monthly tea party.

They were accompanied by Ipswich Labour MP Chris Mole, who said: "Cherie Blair asked me to find three young people who might be interested to come to Number 10 to meet her and have tea.

"I chose the three schools and was very pleased that they each came up with such well behaved and pleasant young people to represent the town."

Mrs Blair spoke to the pupils and their mothers before they were given a guided tour of Number 10.

The highlight of their day was unexpectedly bumping into the Prime Minister, who shared with them the daunting experience of living with a toddler.

Mr Mole said: "We were pleasantly surprised that Tony Blair made himself available as well.

"He was saying that, since Leo had turned two years old he has started to wake up very early in the morning and he had been up since 4am to deal with the baby and prepare for an important speech on science and technology.

"The mums who accompanied the three pupils were very sympathetic."

The schoolchildren spent about four hours in London and were also treated to a tour of the Houses of Parliament.