DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott MP was yesterday on a fact-finding mission visiting Tyneside's shipbuilding and offshore facilities.

Mr Prescott met young people in Wallsend who are learning new skills in the industry in a bid to keep the North-East competitive.

His visit took in the offshore energy centre at Amec, Wallsend, where he launched the second year of the oil and gas industry's Opportunities roadshow to promote careers in the sector.

The roadshow, which is touring 30 college and university campuses in the UK and Ireland, last year received over 30,000 visitors.

Mr Prescott also visited the Swan Hunter Shipyard, in Wallsend, where he met apprentices.