PENSIONS minister Steve Webb was caught lying down on the job when he read a story to pupils at Gillingstool Primary School in Thornbury .

The Thornbury and Yate MP dropped into the school to mark its receipt of a Department for Education pupil premium achievement award.

It was five years since his last visit - a time when the school was being rebuilt - and he recalled how he had stood in the deep end of the swimming pool before it was filled with water.

Headteacher Clive Riches told Mr Webb how the pupil premium funding was being used for such things as forest skills education, teaching assistant support , a wide ranging curriculum and ensuring all pupils had access to all learning, regardless of background.

The MP congratulated the school on winning its award and, as his visit coincided with its annual book fortnight, agreed to read a story to class one.

Mr Riches said the class was captivated by Mr Webb's animated reading style, which involved him lying on the classroom floor so the pupils could see the book's pictures.

He said: "It's very good when MPs take a close interest and come and see the high quality teaching and learning that is taking place in our local schools. It is also good to see them really engaging in the pupils’ learning, even when it means rolling around on the floor.”