A TV presenter best known as the face of the popular children s show Play School has hit the election campaign trail, writes Kate Ferguson. Floella Benjamin ditched the teddy bear props when she joined Lib Dem candidate for Brent Central Sarah Teather in

A TV presenter best known as the face of the popular children's show Play School has hit the election campaign trail, writes Kate Ferguson.

Floella Benjamin ditched the teddy bear props when she joined Lib Dem candidate for Brent Central Sarah Teather in Harlesden, Brent, to sign up residents to a petition urging the government to reform air passenger duty.

Mrs Benjamin said the new aviation tax penalised people with families in the Caribbean who have to pay a higher duty than many other flight passengers travelling further.

Mrs Benjamin said: "This tax is really unfair for Caribbean people who have to pay over the odds in air passenger duty every time they want to visit their family back home."

Throwing her weight behind the campaign to elect Sarah Teather, Mrs Benjamin said it was her and Ms Teather's shared passion for early years learning that motivated her to give up a sunny Thursday afternoon to go campaigning.

And she urged youngsters in Brent to make the most of the educational opportunities that came their way.

She said: "My mum always used to say to me education is a crucially important part of life, and it does not cost anything to go to school and listen to what the teachers have to tell you - because every teacher is giving you a gift."

Mrs Benjamin also revealed considered running as the Lib Dem candidate for Mayor in 2007 - but decided not to after her mother warned her about the pitfalls of a career in politics.