A TROUBLED trip to Downing Street turned to joy when Cherie Blair asked a group of schoolchildren in to number 10.

The 41 11-year-olds from St Mary's Hall, Stonyhurst, set off at 5.30am for an 11am rendezvous with the Prime Minister's wife.

But problems on the motorway left them more than an hour late with the master in charge Jonathan Hewat sweating on whether Mrs Blair would still be able to meet them.

However, when they arrived for what they thought was a brief chat in front of the famous 10 Downing Street door, Mrs Blair invited them in and to their delight took questions on family life at number 10.

The class had earlier written to Tony Blair on a variety of topics after studying formal letter writing in English lessons.

The school was pleased, if a little surprised, to be asked to meet Mrs Blair and even more delighted by what finally happened.

Mr Hewat said: "It was absolutely wonderful, fantastic.

"It was totally unexpected when she actually invited us through the door and into number 10.

"We had problems on the M1 and were running very late. It was traumatic and it did cross my mind that we would be too late to meet Mrs Blair.

"She took us inside and answered questions from the children. They really enjoyed it."

Afterwards they went on the London Eye -- the giant ferris wheel by the Thames -- then had a trip around the Houses of Parliament to finish off.

Mr Hewat said: "It was a wonderful day. Very educational and the children really enjoyed it."