GORSEFIELD County Primary School's globe-trotting mascot certainly gets around!

But he excelled himself when he paid a visit to the heart of Government.

Travelling Teddy, as he is known, accompanied teacher Sharron Hardman when she attended a reception at 10 Downing Street.

Miss Hardman was one of a handful of teachers nationwide invited to meet the Prime Minister and his wife. But she could not resist taking Teddy along too.

"Every time a member of staff goes on holiday they take him along and photograph him for our school wall display," she explained.

"So far he's been to Louisiana, Singapore, Columbia, Istanbul, New York, Singapore and Costa Rica, to name just a few destinations. So I thought it only right to take him to Downing Street."

Teddy was photographed with the Downing Street policemen and outside Numbers 10 and 11.

"The policeman said it was a first and was so amused he asked me to send him a copy of the photo," said Miss Hardman.

The event was to celebrate classroom teachers and Miss Hardman was a natural choice having won a national teaching award last year.

Teddy's latest photographs will be added to the display at the Robertson Street school designed to help children learn about geography in a fun way.

Miss Hardman said: "Going to Downing Street and meeting the Blairs was an unforgettable experience. I was there for three hours and allowed to wander all over.

"One of the most unforgettable moments was walking up the staircase past the portraits of every prime minister."