Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson is visiting Swindon today to meet Regent Street shoppers.

The minister is spending 20 minutes in the town centre greeting and thanking residents who voted Labour in the last general election.

He was also visiting Penhill Primary School at 10am to meet headteacher Linda Rankin and other teachers and assistants.

The Government has increased funding per pupil across the UK and Mr Mandelson said he was looking forward to seeing the improvements in learning first hand. He said that the funding allocation to Swindon Education Authority this year has increased by £4m.

The school has also managed to cut class sizes to below 30 two years ahead of the Government's schedule.

Education Secretary David Blunkett was also visiting Swindon tonight for a cheese and wine evening with the town's Labour Party. He was being met by North Swindon MP Michael Wills for the event at Even Swindon Community Centre in Jennings Street.