MP David Blunkett and his guide dog visit Brooke House, Cosby, to collect cheque for charity

MP David Blunkett may have dropped into a school to talk to students, but it was his dog, Cosby, who was the star of the show.

He visited Brooke House, an independent school for girls and boys between the ages of three and 16, in Cosby, to collect a cheque for the charity Guide Dogs.

Pupils there have been fund-raising for the charity for the past few months and invited Mr Blunkett, who has been blind since birth, to the school to collect the cheque.

Teacher Paul Jackson said: "He replied within 24 hours of our invitation to say he would be delighted to visit and how nice it was that his dog was named after the very village we're in.

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"It was fantastic for students to meet him, and, of course, all eyes were on Cosby.

"Mr Blunkett answered some questions from students and talked about his life as an MP in Sheffield, and how much he needed the help of his guide dog.

"It was a truly inspirational chat and we hope students will go away with the feeling that they can achieve what they want, no matter what the odds are."

Mr Blunkett was presented with a cheque for £1,000 for Guide Dogs, the charity which provides mobility and freedom to blind and partially-sighted people, and campaigns for the rights of those with visual impairment.

The cash was raised by students who baked cakes, made bird tables and sold unwanted gifts, among other activities. Mr Jackson said: "Cosby didn't miss out either. We presented Mr Blunkett with a wooden pot inscribed with the school's name on it for him to store Cosby's treats.

"We also handed over some treats, much to Cosby's delight – he picked up on their scent straightaway."

Harriet Simms, 11, said: "Mr Blunkett said he was wanted to be an MP even while he was at school. He made us all feel that we can achieve anything if we want to."

Fellow pupil Sofia Michaelides, six, said: "He was very funny and Cosby was really fluffy."

As well as collecting the cheque, Mr Blunkett also unveiled a plaque to the school's new site for GCSE students.

Brooke House School changed its age range last year to take pupils up to 16 years.