The Liberal Democrat leader has returned to a Twickenham school to make his first public engagement since being elected for the post.

Sir Vince Cable, Lib Dem MP for Twickenham, returned to his constituency to open the new sensory garden at Carlisle Infant School, on Broad Lane, Hampton, on July 21.

Karen Allum, headmistress of the school since 2014, invited the MP for the launch of the garden, which was put together and funded by the school’s parent fundraising body, the Carlisle School Association and Hampton Fuel Allotment charity.

The Headmistress said: “We are already using this inspiring space as an outdoor learning environment and we hope the garden will evolve in the autumn term with the addition of a water feature and other learning zones and places of interest.”

At the opening the headmistress addressed the group, thanking the parents and teachers for their creativity and hard work on the garden, highlighting Sarah Wilson and Maria-Isabel Rudd, two parents, who designed and developed the garden flowerbeds.

Kate Carson, a staff member at the school, was also mentioned for envisioning the garden and working with the children to enhance their environmental and horticultural development.

James Sheen, owner of Sheen Gardening, donated and installed an irrigation system for the flowerbed and the bespoke solid oak benches were designed and constructed by Attila Rubecz, Norbert Bakay and Tibor Barkoczi - all parents of the School.

To conclude his visit, Sir Vince was given a tour around the school to visit the children and spoke to the headmistress and chair of the governing body how the school remains a ‘really happy and creative environment’ as they face hard financial cuts.