The winner of a prestigious essay competition supported by The Birmingham Post met Tony Blair in Downing Street yesterday.

Ashvir Sangha also received a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament after he was named Midland regional winner of the Parliamentary Press Gallery writing competition.

The judges of the regional heat were MPs Gisela Stuart (Lab Edgbaston), Michael Fabricant (Con Lichfield), and Jonathan Walker, The Birmingham Post's Political Editor.

Ashvir, aged 16, is a pupil at King Edwards School in Birmingham.

Students were invited to submit an essay in the form of a letter to the leader of a major political party suggesting a new idea for their election manifesto and explaining why it would be popular with voters.

Ashvir called for measures to improve the health of school pupils, including removing vending machines selling sweets and fizzy drinks, providing more PE lessons, and employing nutritional experts to instruct children on healthy eating.

Yesterday he was accompanied by his father, lawyer Hariqbal Sangha, on his visit to Westminster.

The Parliamentary Press Gallery is the body representing political journalists based in the Commons. It was formed 200 years ago.

Ashvir said: "The day was fun and very interesting. I am interested in going into politics or journalism so this is a great start."

MP Gisela Stuart said: "I didn't know where the essays had come from when they were being judged but I was delighted when the winner turned out to be from a school in my constituency.

"The Press Gallery essay competition plays a valuable role encouraging young people to take an interest in public affairs and Ashvir's achievement is proof that today's young people have a lot to offer for the future."