Published: August 15, 2009
Burnham family's close encounter with Prime Minister Gordon Brown

A Burnham-On-Sea family could hardly believe their eyes when Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his family boarded a boat in front of them while they were on holiday in the Lake District this week.

John Llywarch grabbed his camera and took these shots of the Premier and his wife, Sarah, stepping onto a water taxi for a trip around Derwent Water.

"We were on holiday and had heard that Gordon Brown was staying locally but had no idea we might see him," John told Burnham-On-Sea.com.

"On Tuesday evening, we were walking by the lake when three cars flashed by us, going down a dead end towards the water's edge."

"One was a blacked out Mercedes people carrier, so I immediately wondered whether someone of importance might be inside."

"A few moments later, we could hardly believe it when Gordon Brown, his wife and children stepped out, then casually wandered over to the water taxi," said John, who lives in Berrow Road in Burnham.

"Mr Brown smiled and chatted with several people beside the lake before getting onboard."

"The boat was waiting for them and they all seemed very jovial and relaxed."

"It was cold and drizzly, but they'd come sensibily dressed for a chilly evening."

John grabbed his camera and captured the whole encounter on film, as pictured here.

"There were a few other people taking photos on mobile phones, but none with a proper camera," he said. "I managed to get several good shots."

"We saw the family leave the lakeside area and then return about 25 minutes later. They'd clearly enjoyed the trip."

"There's been a lot of interest from the national press about the pictures, which have appeared in Daily Mail," he added.