Outgoing principal of City Academy Bristol Ray Priest has been to a reception at 10 Downing Street in recognition of his contribution to the people of east Bristol.

Kerry McCarthy, Bristol East MP, invited Dr Priest, who is retiring next summer after 18 years as a head teacher in Bristol, to the Community Hero event with the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah.

Ms McCarthy chose Dr Priest, leader of Bristol's first academy since it opened in 2003, because of the leading role he has played in raising aspirations in the area of the school in Lawrence Hill.

She said: "Ray is a true community hero. He has been the driving force behind the success of City Academy and a hugely positive influence on all the students, past and present.

"It'll be really sad to see him go but I'm sure he will continue to have that positive impact in whatever he does next."

Dr Priest hopes to go on to support education in developing countries as well as supporting other academies in the UK.