POLITICIANS have seen how a college near Oswestry helps young people with disabilities.

Nadhim Zahawi, children and families minister, joined North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson MP on a visit to Derwen College in Gobowen.

The visit provided an opportunity for the minister to meet Derwen's senior leadership team to discuss issues such as the Children and Families Act and its impact on young people with learning and physical difficulties, the future of specialist education as well as highlight the huge benefits of learning at specialist colleges.

Ruth Thomas, director of strategy at Derwen College, said: "This was a really useful opportunity for us to discuss first-hand with the Minister and Owen Patterson MP the issues around specialist education.

"This visit to Derwen followed on from a meeting that we had last year with the minister at parliament and we will continue to drive forward change and ensure the voice of the specialist college is heard."

The minister also had a tour of the college meeting students at work in the Premier Inn Training Centre, Food Centre, Orangery Restaurant, Karten Print Centre and the Garden Centre.

Mr Zahawi described the work in the Food Centre as “phenomenal” and student Millie Clarke showed the Minister how the equipment worked in the Print Centre.

He also went on say how professional and fantastic the students work is in the commercial outlets.

Meryl Green, principal of Derwen College, added: "It was fantastic to show the Minister around the commercial outlets at the college and for him to meet and chat with the students."