Pupils met the namesake of their new school house Witham MP Priti Patel.

Schoolchildren from Powers Hall Junior School, in Spa Road, Witham, will be part of three new houses, Patel, Titchmarsh and Strachan House.

Headteacher Jane Bass said the children had enjoyed visits from Ms Patel and television presenter Michaela Strachan and the school were part of the Royal Horticultural school scheme which Alan Titchmarsh is a patron of.

She said: “They are people who are good examples of people who have worked really really hard to get where they are.

“They have stuck by their principles to make a difference and make a change.”

See this week's Times for the full story.