THE Prime Minister invited two Bolton primary school pupils to Downing Street in recognition of their fund-raising efforts.

Sean Lawless and Gemma Lyscycia, head boy and head girl of Year 11 at St Joseph's RC High School and Sports College in Horwich, were selected to represent the school at the reception this week.

The event was organised to celebrate the good work done by the pupils who raised £20,000 to assist the community of Esimbamiswemi in South Africa, through a series of charity events.

Headteacher Leo Conley, who accompanied them, said: "It is wonderful to see the good work of these students rewarded in this way.

"They represent large numbers of young people from this school and from schools all over the borough whose hard work and selflessness can often go unnoticed and unrewarded."

Gemma said: "It was truly amazing. I was able to gain an insight into the world of politics and appreciate the hard work that goes on".

Sean added: "It was a great honour to go the Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister, an honour that the whole school deserves to share."

During their stay in London, the students spent the afternoon in the Strangers Gallery of the House of Commons, and the House of Lords.

They witnessed the reading of the statement about the Commission for Africa Report and were shown round the Department for Education and Skills, meeting the Secretary of State Ruth Kelly in her office before being taken to Downing Street.

Sean and Gemma, both aged 16, are part of a group whose achievements include forging a successful link with a school in Kwazulu Natal, a remote and impoverished region of South Africa.

They have raised funds to finance their own visit to South Africa next summer, and to bring pupils and staff from Esimbamiswemi School to Horwich last October.