I THOUGHT that it would be useful if I gave everyone a flavour of a not untypical day in the constituency.

I found last Friday, which revolved around four events particularly rewarding. It was the culmination of the latest "week of action" organised by Harrow Council, the police and other agencies.

This one took place in Burnt Oak Broadway and elsewhere up in Edgware, a part of my constituency many could be forgiven for thinking was not in Harrow at all.

My first duty was to help plant a tree in the middle of the green at Berridge Green, representing the last part of a project that will hopefully ensure people can park safely and emergency vehicles can access the area.

After this, I spent some time in an advisory tent on Burnt Oak Broadway where police, council representatives and myself were on hand to help people with inquiries. Everyone agreed the week of action had made a real difference.

Next I held one of my regular surgeries, where I try to help people on a range of issues.

I don't know about other MPs but I find surgeries really rewarding and very satisfying. MPs do not have magic wands, but our job is to do all we can.

Whenever I feel like I am getting seduced by the pull of Westminster and ministerial duties, an intense session at a surgery helps bring me back down to earth After my surgery I went straight to Whitchurch Middle School to talk to pupils about the role of MP and other issues.

This proved to be an hour or so of intense questions, which were staggering in terms of their depth, detail and range. The school should be very proud of its students.

I left the school with the questions ringing in my ears and went back to my constituency office to meet representatives from the voluntary and care sector to talk about securing more money for Harrow.

I explained to them that I have always worked very closely with all sectors in Harrow to try and get the borough a fair deal.

To this end, I worked very closely with the council to ensure that we got the funding for the collegiate development of our sixth forms including writing a joint letter with the council to the Secretary of State asking for further funding so we can change our system to transfer to High School at the age of 11 rather than 12.

These are just four features of what I did last Friday. I will never forget being an MP affords me the privilege to get involved in my constituents' lives in this way. It is a pleasure I will never tire of.