MAYOR of London Boris Johnson dropped in at a school in Yarm this morning and sampled a Teesside delicacy - a parmo!

Educated at Eton and Baliol College, Oxford, he visited Conyers SChool to take part in a question time with students.

Mr Johnson, who is standing for the Tories in Uxbridge and South Ruislip in the forthcoming general election was accompanied by Stockton South's Conservative MP, James WHarton, who will defend a majority of 332.

He joined in a debate with sixth form pupils and gave a speech about the importance of the Teesside to London, explaining that Oyster travel cards were made in Stockton and the first 'Big Ben' bell was cast at Warners of Norton near Stockton.

He told them: "If I was growing up here I'd feel very optimistic about the future".

Louise Spellman, headteacher of Conyers, said Mr Johnson also gave a speech about how the North-East should not be seen as an island and encouraged the teenagers to embrace technology.

He then sampled a ‘gourmet’ parmo cooked by a Year 9 food technology class which she thought he was “very positive” about.