A group of stunned school children were given an unexpected audience with the world's most powerful man yesterday.

The kids had gathered to wave at President Bush as he arrived at the Dun Cow Inn, in Sedgefield.

The president was charmed by the youngsters and asked for them to come out onto the street to meet him, defying strict security protocol.

Stuart Percival, 12, John Bagnall, 15, Jade McKillen, 11, and Gemma Mullen, 15, were all at the home of their teacher Sue Cook.

Mrs Cook, deputy head teacher at The Meadows School, a special school in Spennymoor, Co Durham, invited the children to her home to catch a glimpse of the president.

In doping so she faced the wrath of her husband Peter, who plastered the home with anti Bush posters, even putting up the legend "Stop Bush" in his window.

But Mr Bush turned the apparently hostile household to his advantage on seeing the kids.

He beckoned them outside and his security men immediately stepped in front of them but President Bush waved them aside, saying "It's ok."

Stuart Percival said: "He came over and said hello, shook our hands, asked our names and said he was Mr George Bush.

"He said he was the president of the United States while he was skaing my hand and I said "I know. I'm Stuart Percival."

"He laughed and put his arm around me. Then I turned to Mr Blair and said: "I'm so sorry you had to got to hospital with your irregular heartbeat, are you okay now?"