FLOELLA BENJAMIN OBE VISITS MANCHESTER WITHINGTON

7.22.28pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 1st May 2010

Floella Benjamin OBE, known to children and grownups across the country visited John Leech and Manchester Withington constituency on Friday.

Floella is known to many, young and old, as the television presenter on Play School and Play Away and has been a leading light in children's television since the 1980s.

Since starting her career as a television presenter, Floella has achieved a lot of in her life dedicating it to children and young people.

Now at the age of 60 she is currently Chancellor of the University of Exeter, having received an honorary doctorate for contributions to British society and is an advisor to the Liberal Democrats on policies relating to children and early years provision, responsible for the party's progressive policies on children and young people's issues.

Floella took the time out to help John Leech's campaign in Manchester Withington and spent some time in Head over Heels Indoor Play Centre, the North West's biggest indoor play centre in Chorlton yesterday. Accompanying her was John Leech, Cllr Paul Ankers and Chorlton's local council candidate Victor Chamberlain.

She met some of John's helpers and supporters in his campaign office in Didsbury even taking the time out to sure up support with voters.

During the visit to Head over Heels Floella met with many parents and children including a 1 ½ week year old baby Orla!

Floella said about her visit to Manchester Withington, "I've travelled up and down the country meeting voters across the UK, driving through Manchester seeing his posters everywhere it just shows how well John is doing and it is obvious that people are listening and supporting him, it's clear people hold this well respected man close to their heart in the community.

When asked about the recent surge in the polls Floella commented "The Lib Dems have always been a visionary party and now this vision has come to life and the public have woken up to this. This fairness for all people is what people want and this is evident. I've been all over the country and have seen this difference, it's definitely time for a change and it is the Liberal Democrats who will deliver this change with fairness for all."

John Leech the Liberal Democrat candidate for Manchester Withington said "I was delighted Floella came to help out with the campaign here, she has been an inspiration to so many children over the years, the volunteers in the office were over the moon that she took the time out to come and thank them for all their help. It is great that she has joined the Liberal Democrats and is helping us campaign across the constituency to get a fair deal for our children".

<ENDS>

<NOTES TO EDITORS>

Floella met supporters and helpers at the campaign office on 30/04/2010

Address: 8 Gawsworth Avenue, Didsbury, Manchester M20 5NF.

Floella met parents and children to the Head over Heels Indoor Play Centre, the North West's biggest indoor play centre in Chorlton. Head over Heels is at Unit 1a, Albany Trading Estate, Albany Road, Manchester, M21 OAZ along with Victor Chamberlain (Chorlton council candidate) and Cllr Paul Ankers. .

She talked about how Lib Dem proposals can help to improve early years play and school provision and to hear of the issues that they may raise.

Contact James Hennigan on 078 11 09 6717 for more information.

Photo attached:

John Leech (Liberal Democrat candidate, Manchester Withington), Orla (aged 1 ½ weeks), Floella Benjamin OBE, Victor Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat candidate, Chorlton Ward)