A TRIP to Washington for Priestley College students led to a chance meeting with one of the most senior figures in American politics.

As they followed a tour guide through the corridors of power they bumped into Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan.

History student Charlie Bravo-Antelo was brave enough to ask for a selfie and the former nominee for Vice President obliged.

Charlie, a former St Gregory’s RC High School pupil, said: “I just saw him so asked and he didn’t seem to mind at all.”

The history and politics student’s chance encounter followed a visit to the White House earlier in the day.

During a whistle-stop tour of the political institutions they also toured Capitol Hill before listening to proceedings in the Senate where Senator Chris Coons was speaking out against oil drilling in Delaware.

Tutor Oliver Lister, said: “It was really exciting for the students because they recognised many of the politicians they saw including Senator Ted Cruz.”

During a five-day trip, the 20 students also visited several war memorials, Grand Central Station, Times Square, the Empire State Building and the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum before watching a Broadway performance of School of Rock.

History tutor Jenny George, said: “The students were evenly split between those who enjoyed the political side of the trip and those who preferred the hustle and bustle of New York.”