Tony Blair and David Blunkett took a rare moment off from the war on terror - with an impromptu jamming session at a north of England school.

The pair had just had a musical welcome from pupils at Firth Park Community College in Mr Blunkett's Brightside constituency, when they decided to have a go themselves.

Mr Blair picked up lead guitar, while his home secretary kept a steady beat on the drums as both men joined in a 12 bar blues piece with school band The Jabberwocker.

The prime minister is an old hand at the guitar, having played with band the Ugly Rumours in his student days at Oxford.

The unscripted moment came after the politicians were greeted with a rousing rendition of I'm Going to Sing by a selection of boys and girls at the school.

Cool dude?

It is not the first time the prime minister has entertained pupils with his musical prowess.

During a school visit in Hartlepool in 2001, Mr Blair joined an ensemble of young musicians in an impromptu blues-session by strumming a borrowed Fender Telecaster guitar.

Thursday's star turn came after the Sheffield pupils had sung First Light Dawning, which seemed to impress Mr Blunkett, who enthusiastically tapped his toes.

A contemporary dance routine performed by year seven boys followed.

Street 'cred'

Later the pair performed more sober duties with a visit to a computer class where they chatted with pupils about school life and computer coursework.

The prime minister received a pack of mementoes of his trip from 15-year-old Jazmine Stewart, including t-shirts for his older children which she said had to be worn if they wanted any "cred".

The gift also contained nursery stories for Mr Blair's baby son, Leo.

The prime minister told pupils, staff and invited guests that the school should be an inspiration to others.

Although he had had a privileged education, there were still things he wished he had done, like studying more physics.