THE former British Prime Minister David Cameron has visited Keighley this week.

He surprised pupils at The Holy Family Catholic School on Monday, (Feb 11) by joining them in an assembly encouraging them to take part in the Government-backed National Citizen Service (NCS), of which he is the chair of patrons.

As well as talking to 150 year 11 students in the assembly about the benefits of taking part in NCS, Mr Cameron had a private meeting with a smaller group of students to hear young people’s views about the programme.

A spokesman for Holy Family said: "He spoke with students who have already signed up to take part this summer and discussed the experiences of those who took part last year.

"He was keen to hear what had made them want to get involved. These reasons varied from wanting to share an experience with friends, for the adventure of taking part, through to the opportunity to get involved with charity work and meet new people.

"Mr Cameron then asked what they would say to other young people to encourage them to do NCS. One of our year 11 students replied: 'I’d definitely say to be yourself. Make up your own mind – you are not in thrall to your friends. Have a go at being useful, being of service. It is actually fun.'"

The school's head teacher Martin Hings explained: "David Cameron chose to visit Holy Family because of the consistent high levels of interest in NCS amongst our students.

"Our school was delighted to enable this surprise visit for our students, who hugely valued the interest Mr Cameron took in their individual experiences.

"I am particularly keen to recognise Damian Moore and Carol O’Connor who have championed the NCS programme so effectively in school, which in turn has created so many additional opportunities for our young people."

As a programme that encourages 16 to 17-year-olds to build confidence, make new friends and give back to society, NCS has already been completed by hundreds of thousands of young people across the UK.

Places on NCS are still available for teens aged 16 and 17. To sign up to NCS, visit ncsyes.co.uk

Mr Cameron was UK Prime Minister from 2010 to 2016 and leader of the Conservative Party from 2005 to 2016. He resigned as PM in July 2016, following the referendum vote in favour of leaving the European Union.