Politicians got a grilling from Havering College students for a BBC show last Friday.

An 150-strong audience quizzed Universities and Science Minister David Willets, Lib Dem peer Susan Kramer, Labour MP Rushnara Ali, writer Hardeep Singh Kohli and fellow student Jamei Roper at the Schools Questions and Answers event.

Hot topics included tuition fees, doctors’ pensions and the price of drinks at the Olympics.

But some panellists almost missed the show because of train cancellations at Ilford in the morning.

Travellers on the 86 bus were surprised to be joined by cabinet minister David Willets, who arrived at the college with minutes to spare.

The audience included pupils from across Havering and BBC political editor James Landale chaired the debate at the college’s Ardleigh Green Campus.

Havering College won the chance to host the show in the BBC’s Schools Questions and Answers competition.

The 45 minute show was broadcast live on the internet and shown on BBC Parliament on Saturday. It is available on BBC iPlayer.