THE DOWNING Street Christmas tree lights are twinkling bright thanks to a pair of Swindon toddlers.

Two-year-olds Lucy Heard and Lucie Wise switched on the festive display when they joined their mums on a trip to the Prime Minister's house in London for tea with his wife Cherie.

The trip was as a result of Swindon Parent Panel's contribution to a national Government survey looking at ways to improve access to health and education services for women.

But an unexpected treat came when the two Swindon youngsters who were both born on January 20, 1999, at Princess Margaret Hospital, Swindon were chosen for the big switch on, to decorate one of the country's most prestigious addresses.

Lucy Heard's mother Amanda, 35, of Common Platt, said: "When just the two girls were asked to switch on the lights it was absolutely amazing.

"We never expected it to happen. The tree was very tall and was covered in enormous baubles."

The survey Better Services- Better Working Lives was launched at the House of Commons.

Vivienne Wise, of Swindon Parent Panel, said: "We had the opportunity to meet Baroness Sally Morgan during her visit to Swindon in October and she was interested in the Parent Panel and the role it plays in the provision of maternity services in the Swindon area.

"It was very exciting to be invited to the formal launch of the report and to meet Cherie Blair at No. 10."

Vivienne, 34, a mother of Goddard Avenue, Old Town, added: "Number 10 was lovely, it was very Christmassy. We went to two rooms upstairs and had tea in one room and chatted to Cherie on a sofa in front of an open fire.

"Cherie was very relaxed and friendly. She showed a lot of interest in the children and we had out photos taken together."

On their trip to London the Swindon contingent had lunch at the House of Commons with Barbara Roche, Minister for Women, MPs and other women from around the country who had met with the unit's staff during its national fact-finding mission.

The mums and youngsters then converged on 10 Downing Street.

Also involved in the compiling of the report, and on the trip, was Rosemary Pike, 37, a senior sister of Fernham and Hannington ward at PMH, who has brought in a pioneering flexible shift system.

The report was produced by the Women and Equality Unit and highlights examples of good practice within health and education around the country.

It also sets out a series of practical proposals for change which will make a real difference to women juggling work, home and caring roles within health and education.

The Swindon NHS Walk-in Centre and The Well Woman Centre were cited within the report as examples of good practice, for their flexibility and provision of responsive services.

Funded by Wiltshire Health Authority, Swindon Parent Panel was set up seven years ago to give parents the opportunity to shape constructively the way in which maternity services are provided in the Swindon area.

The Parent Panel aims to promote the parent's perspective in planning and decision-making and to provide feedback about services.