INSPIRATIONAL teachers from Thurrock visited Number 10 to meet Prime Minister David Cameron.

Viki Reid was among a number of teachers honoured by the PM. Mrs Reid, who works for Gateway Learning Community, was headteacher at Herringham school in Chadwell St Mary and now works with Herringham, Lansdowne, Tilbury Pioneer and the Gateway Free school.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the teachers for "challenging the soft bigotry of low expectation" and thanked them for making a real difference in their schools.

Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price said: "Good teachers will always strive to get the best out of their children. Last year I visited Tilbury Pioneer Academy and it is amazing to see how quickly that school is moving forwards.

"After years of underperformance as Tilbury Manor, the leadership team is transforming the school. That Viki has been invited to No 10 is recognition of just how quickly the school is improving."

Pupils at the Gateway schools wrote letters to the Prime Minister which have been presented to him.