TWO budding journalists took to the skies to make it on time for an appointment at the Palace of Westminster - thanks to British Midland Airlines.

The two Stubbins CP School pupils were invited to the House of Commons to attend a presentation following thier school's entry in the Times Educational Supplement Newspaper Day. They were asked to write and publish an evening newspaper during a school-day using only the IT equipment available in the school.

The children's delight at being commended for their efforts, turned to disappointment when they learned that the presentation would be in London, and it would be too costly to allow the two representatives to attend.

In desperation the school contacted Mr Stuart Hickman, assistant product manager at British Midland to see if he could help with the transport.

After hearing of the school's plight he arranged for British Midland to fly the children and the accompanying two members of staff to Heathrow and back to Manchester at the airline's expense.

On Monday Cassandra Morris (11), Dean Slavinski (11) the paper's editor, teacher Mr Steven Cumbo and head-teacher Mr Stan Johnson flew to Heathrow where they were met by the MP for Rossendale and Darwen, Mrs Janet Anderson who treated them to a tour of the Houses of Parliament. They were presented with their certificates by John Gunnell MP.

Mr Johnson said: "The children were thrilled when they heard that they had been commended and received a certificate. We were then told about the presentation at the Palace of Westminster but we not expected to attend because of the transport was either too expensive or would mean the children travelling all day. When British Midland agreed to fly us we were really pleased."

A spokesman for the airline said: "We were happy to help and hoped the children managed to get to Westminster on time."

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