Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Leigh today to speak to residents and businesses after the "lifeline" discovery of prized clams in the Thames Estuary.

Rishi Sunak, who travelled by car, was introduced by Southend West MP Anna Firth - who gave him a warm welcome as he arrived - at the start of the session at The Hatch in Old Leigh High Street today.

Echo: Anna Firth, Rishi Sunak and James Cleverly visited Osborne'sAnna Firth, Rishi Sunak and James Cleverly visited Osborne's (Image: Millbank Creative)

These new pictures have revealed Mr Sunak's activities during his visit as he answered questions from Southend High School for Boys pupils, spoke to business owners, and even took a picture with a Southend United shirt.

Echo: Mr Sunak speaking to members of the audience at The HatchMr Sunak speaking to members of the audience at The Hatch (Image: Millbank Creative)

Home Secretary James Cleverly was in the audience, along with members of the public, including the Prittlewell Chase students.

Mr Sunak started by paying tribute to the late Southend West MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed to death while holding a constituency surgery in 2021.

Echo: Plenty of selfies were takenPlenty of selfies were taken (Image: Millbank Creative)

Mr Sunak then fielded questions from audience members at the cafe, before moving on to a nearby restaurant where he answered questions from reporters.

Echo: Rishi Sunak listened to the pupils' questionsRishi Sunak listened to the pupils' questions (Image: Millbank Creative)

Afterwards he walked along a path beside the Thames Estuary to a seafood factory, on a bitterly cold morning, a short distance away.

He spoke to workers at cockle and whelk processor Osborne’s and posed for selfies.

Echo: PM meets PM - Philip Miller took a selfie with Mr SunakPM meets PM - Philip Miller took a selfie with Mr Sunak (Image: Millbank Creative)

The Prime Minister also tried out some of the seafood at Osborne Bros Cafe while he sat for a chat with Osborne's bosses, Paul Gilson and Ms Firth.

Mr Gilson made the discovery of the prized clams in the estuary, which sparked Ms Firth inviting the Prime Minister to Leigh, and has hailed them a "lifeline for Leigh".

Echo: Rishi Sunak taking pictures with pupilsRishi Sunak taking pictures with pupils (Image: Millbank Creative)

Police outriders accompanied his chauffeur-driven car as he left the seafront, having concluded his visit by late morning.

Scroll down to see more pictures from Mr Sunak's visit

Echo: Mr Sunak was interviewed by many reporters, including GB NewsMr Sunak was interviewed by many reporters, including GB News (Image: Millbank Creative)

Echo: Mr Sunak with Paul Gilson and Anna Firth at Osborne Bros CafeMr Sunak with Paul Gilson and Anna Firth at Osborne Bros Cafe (Image: Millbank Creative)Echo: James Cleverly and Rishi Sunak meets with Osborne's co-ownerJames Cleverly and Rishi Sunak meets with Osborne's co-owner (Image: Millbank Creative)

Echo: Rishi Sunak chats with Osborne's co-owners Andrew Lawrence and Graham OsborneRishi Sunak chats with Osborne's co-owners Andrew Lawrence and Graham Osborne (Image: Millbank Creative)

Echo: James Cleverly and Rishi Sunak during the Prime Minister's visitJames Cleverly and Rishi Sunak during the Prime Minister's visit (Image: Millbank Creative)