EALING Mencap users and volunteers were greeted with a surprise visit by Samantha Cameron at the opening of its new home in Perivale.

The £1.3m Enterprise Lodge, in Stockdove Way, was completed at the end of January and officially opened by the Prime Minister's wife on Thursday (19) morning.

Mrs Cameron was entertained by Ealing Mencap's very own nine-piece rock band, I Love Thunder, as she spoke to young people with learning disabilities who the charity work with across the borough.

Chairman of Ealing Mencap, Julian Hillman, said: "Everybody was very pleased to meet her. Barbara and Tony Yerolemou who started our fundraising with a £500,000 donation got us in touch with Mrs Cameron and we knew she'd be sympathetic with people with learning disabilities.

"Everybody said she was friendly, and she was taking her time with people and going round not rushed.

"We're now fully opened and hoping to get more people to come along. There were many limitations to the old building but now we can cater for people with severe disabilities as well.

"It's the only building we own so we can use it as and when we like, and other voluntary groups can also use it - we want to play our part in the local community."

The state-of-the art centre boasts a large multi-use area for parties and games, a kitchen, arts and crafts, and games room. The sensory garden overlooking the River Brent is another vital addition to the centre.

Mr and Mrs Cameron's six-year-old son, Ivan, died two years ago after suffering from severe epilepsy and cerebral palsy. At the time, the couple chose Mencap as one of the five charities they asked people to send donations in their son's memory.

For more information about activities at the centre visit www.ealingmencap.org.uk .