Rapper's delight (From Stroud News and Journal)

Rapper's delight

TOP politician Baroness Amos swapped ballot boxes for beat boxes on Monday when she was serenaded by a teenage rapper from Stroud.

The Leader of the House of Lords smiled as 17-year-old Ashley Palmer performed his love-song 'In September' while she visited a Stroud young people's centre.

Giving her verdict on the song, the Guyanan-born Baroness said: "It should be a hit single - I really like it."

Ashley, who had spent the previous night composing the song for his girlfriend, was equally pleased with his new fan.

And the teenage singer cheekily asked: "Does she want my autograph?"

The Baroness was in Stroud to visit the Five Valleys Foyer, which provides housing, support and training for around 50 disadvantaged and homeless youngsters.

Together with Stroud Labour candidate David Drew, she toured the Gloucester Street facility and visited its 32-channel recording studio.

She also stopped for a coffee at the nearby Star Anise caf, which was set up last year by three young people as their first enterprise.

David Drew used the Baroness's visit to highlight the problems faced by voluntary organisations and gain her support for a Minister for Youth.

Foyer manager Lucas Schoemaker was delighted with the chance to show off the centre to the Baroness, one of the UK's leading political figures and make the case for change.

"At present young people over 16, who are not in education, are not supported by any one government department," he said.

"We were delighted that both David Drew and Baroness Amos were supportive of the idea of a new Minister for Youth.

"We believe that would help stop these vulnerable young people falling through the net."