Cricket-mad Lucas Percy was knocked for six when the Prime Minister agreed to sign his bat.

Tony Blair and his wife Cherie were leaving All Saints Church in Hove after a special Labour Party conference service when they came upon young Lucas.

The nine-year-old, from Hove, approached the Prime Minister as he waved to members of the public outside the church.

Andrew Flintoff fan Lucas handed up his cricket bat, on which Mr Blair wrote: "To Lucas, Tony Blair."

The youngster met Mr Blair with friend Harlem Eubank, 11, the nephew of former boxing champion Chris, and his father James Percy, 37, a computer consultant.

Lucas said: "It was really nice to meet Mr Blair. He's a cricket fan like me."

And Mr Percy added: "What a thrill for Lucas to meet the Prime Minister. We are just off to the Sussex cricket ground now so it has been a really nice surprise."

The Prime Minister read the first lesson from the Gospel before guest preacher the Reverend Kathy Galloway, from a small religious retreat on the Scottish island of Iona, delivered the sermon.

However, the Blairs' welcome as they arrived an hour earlier had not been so cordial.

As the Premier and his wife- who was wearing a cream suit - entered the church, a man shouted: "How many babies died in Iraq last week, Mr Blair?"

Monday, September 26, 2005