PRIME Minister Tony Blair and his proposed successor have paid a visit to the area to meet residents and students.

Mr Blair visited Millennium Primary School on Monday morning. Mr Brown visited the Shooters Hill Post-16 Campus on Saturday.

Mr Blair was at the school, in John Harrison Way, Greenwich, to coincide with the publication A Report on Capital Investment in Education.

The report details the extent of investment in education over the past 10 years and shows how 1,100 new schools have been built.

It also says 1,260 children's centres have been created and 27,000 classrooms improved nationwide.

Mr Blair was given a tour of the school, which was built in February 2001.

Speaking exclusively to News Shopper, Mr Blair, who will stand down as PM on June 27, said: "The most important thing is to leave the country stronger than you found it.

"In terms of the education service, I think it is.

"Gordon Brown has made it clear he will carry on the programme up to 2015."

The Chancellor spoke to students at the campus in Red Lion Lane, Shooters Hill, before listening to residents' concerns.

He spoke favourably of young people initiatives, such as the Charlton Athletic Scheme, and the children's centres in the borough.

Mr Brown also praised the £800m being invested in schools and community and health facilities and the huge investment in housing in Greenwich.

In a speech he said: "We have doubled investment in housing, education, and health but there is so much more to do.

"We do not want to be remembered for power, status or importance but for helping people on the way."