THREE schoolchildren from Swin-don are set to give Cherie Blair a grilling at Number 10.

The pupils were chosen by their teachers after South Swindon MP Julia Drown plucked the names of the three schools out of a hat.

Oaktree Primary, Lainesmead Primary and Churchfields Second-ary school will each send one pupil to London on April 10.

Martin Brown, 15, from Park South is head boy at Churchfields and plans to ask Mrs Blair about whether she thinks the country should go to war with Iraq.

He said: "I was excited when I was chosen and I'm interested in politics.

"My friends are divided on war, a lot think we should and a lot think we shouldn't.

"I'm in favour and I expect she will be too."

Ann Harris, head of Oaktree Primary in Park South, says this is an honour for the school. She chose pupil Samantha Williams, 11, to see Cherie because she won an award for being the best citizen in the school. She said: "We have a good citizenship programme in the school so the children know about politics.

"We give them marks for every day they are a good citizen.

"Samantha had the most marks and when we told the pupils they all clapped and cheered because she really deserves it."

Samantha, of Park South, said: "I want to know a bit more about Cherie, what her favourite animal is and things like that.

"I want to know if she enjoys doing what she does because it looks like a hard job."

Lainesmead Primary in Walcot chose Tom McDowall, 11, who is chairman of their school council.

He said: "My class want me to ask about the war because not many of them support it and the teachers want me to ask Cherie for more funding for things like special needs.

"I've not really thought about what I want to ask her myself but I'm looking forward to it."

Pauline Monaghan, head of Churchfields, said: "We are thrilled and delighted.

"It is great to think students can get right to the heart of government and have the chance to express their views.

"The pupils are experienced in questioning people in power as Ms Drown has visited us before, so Cherie is in for a grilling albeit a polite one!"