A WEST Somerset man in his 40s who graduated from an adult reading scheme has been rewarded with a personal tour of the Houses of Parliament thanks to MP Rachel Gilmour.

Thomas Greenwell, aged 41, spent two years training in Williton Library with a tutor from the national charity Read Easy.

In one to one teaching sessions Mr Greenwell used phonics to help his reading skills and is now delighted to be able to read material such as newspapers and menus.

He was born as the most premature baby in the Westcountry and weighed 1 lb 3 oz and needed a tracheotomy until he was four years old to help with his breathing.

Mr Greenwell was in a wheelchair until he was aged eight years because he needed an oxygen cylinder all the time.

He attended Frenchay Hospital School, in Bristol, and then a special school, but missed out on many years of schooling as he was unable to walk and talk for so many years.

Unfortunately, Mrs Gilmour was unwell on the day of the visit, but Mr Greenwell and his father Roger and his Read Easy coach were shown around by a member of her Parliamentary team.

A highlight of the day was watching Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer give feedback on a visit to the Middle East, with Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and about 50 other MPs jeering and cheering during the question and answer session.

Lunch was taken in the Houses of Parliament restaurant following which they roamed along the Embankment and Trafalgar Square.

Mr Greenwell lives in Watchet with his mother Helen and works part-time in a warehouse distribution centre.

Read Easy offers confidential one to one teaching for adults who have problems with reading, whatever their age.

Anybody interested in learning should email [email protected].