PARENTS dropping off their children at nursery on Monday were in for a surprise when they were introduced to Chancellor Gordon Brown.

Mr Brown paid a visit to the Hoyles Early Years Centre in Chesham Fold Road, Bury, to meet the parents and staff.

Parents had only been told about the special guest on the morning of his arrival before being invited to stay for the chance to speak to Mr Brown.

He was joined by Bury North MP David Chaytor to tour the centre which has won an array of awards for its architectural design and named an Early Excellence Centre two years ago.

Mr Brown spent 15 minutes chatting with parents about their children, their opinions on the nursery and the difference it had made to their lives, before asking them what they would like to see in the future.

He told them: "Books make a difference and computers - it is amazing what computers can do now. In the old days, there was very little investment in the under-fives but now nursery education is helping them develop more and more."

After talking to the MP about his own young son and her four-year-old son Callum, Karen Hamilton, of Wash Lane, Bury, said: "I told him how much Callum enjoys it here and how I have to practically drag him away. Meeting him was a real surprise - I only found out this morning! But he was really down-to-earth and pleasant and said Callum was a lovely name."

Dawn Chadwick, from Fairfield, added: "It is reassuring to know that he is going to have similar problems to us because he is a father too and so he has a real interest in nursery education."

The town's only council-run nursery also cares for children with speech and language difficulties, including those with autism. And speech and language therapist Caroline Riordan was glad of the opportunity to talk to the Chancellor about special-needs children while he toured the outdoor play area.

She said: "It was exciting to meet him and was good to speak about special-needs and the difficulties children face long term. I hope it raises the profile of special-needs as there are not many specialist teachers in the profession but there is a very big need."

Acting headteacher Angela Lord led Mr Brown and Mr Chaytor on the guided tour. She said: "I was honoured to be asked to show him around and told him about the history of the centre and the children.

"There is going to be a lot more money invested in these areas providing skills necessary for children to cope with adult life and he was very interested in our centre."