LABOUR'S David Blunkett called in to Bolton for a flying visit before facing union barons at Blackpool.
The Shadow Education and Employment spokesman toured Bolton College before travelling to the seaside to speak at the TUC conference.
Blind Mr Blunkett, who has had two guide dogs from the famous Bolton training centre, was asked to put on a hard hat as he visited the centre of excellence for roofing at the Manchester Road site.
He quipped to his aides: "I might need this at the TUC this afternoon."
Mr Blunkett has known Principal Terry Hogan since the 1970s when they were both lecturers at Barnsley Technical College.
He accepted an open invitation to visit his former colleague's college and toured the guidance centre, the roofing centre of excellence and the pioneering EXCEL leisure centre due to be completed in November.
Mr Blunkett was joined on the visit to the college by Labour prospective parliamentary candidates David Crausby and Brian Iddon.
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