A GWENT youngster was left bitterly disappointed when snow forced him to miss the Royal opening of the Senedd in Cardiff.

But then his head teacher stepped in and organised a special visit for him to remember.

Ten-year-old Liam Hiley was to represent Blaenau Gwent's schoolchildren at the opening and was looking forward to meeting the Queen and Rhodri Morgan.

But after roads were closed because of heavy snow, he was forced to watch the events on television.

His disappointment prompted head teacher Jan Twomey, at Queen Street Primary in Abertillery, to write to Rhodri Morgan.

The First Minister responded by visiting Liam and his schoolmates yesterday who presented him with a painting by Abertillery artist Tim Pritchard.

After telling them of his own schooldays and listening to the children sing in Welsh he looked around the school.

"It was great for the children because they had all watched him on telly at the Senedd opening and now here he was in their school," said Mrs Twomey.

She said Liam was a little starstruck but very pleased to meet Mr Morgan.