Sam tastes life on the council estate

Samantha Cameron took a break from the Tory party conference in Birmingham today to visit a council estate.

The Conservative leader's wife went to Welsh House Farm to see a social project that aims to keep young people away from crime and improve community spirit.

Mrs Cameron was given a 45-minute tour by project co-ordinator Simon Jay, who showed her how the area in Quinton had been improved.

The scheme "buddies up" pensioners and teenagers to bridge the gap between the generations. The project, which encourages residents to help each other through volunteering, has been praised at the Conservative conference. Mr Jay, 37, said: "She came to have a cup of tea at the community centre and we had a really nice conversation. She was very understanding about the issues we face and excited about the progress we're making.

"This place used to be terrible with drugs and gangs. There was a 9pm curfew for teenagers on the estate. We still have a few problems but the transformation has been remarkable."

Local children have been offered more opportunities to play team sports and conference delegates have been helping refurbish the youth centre and other parts of the estate. Members of the shadow cabinet including William Hague, Michael Gove and David Willetts have visited the project since the conference began on Sunday.

Baronet's daughter Mrs Cameron, 37, also attended conference parties last night with a small entourage.

The creative director of stationery and accessory company Smythson of Bond Street was kept company by her father, Sir Reginald Adrian Berkeley Sheffield, and her stepfather, Viscount Astor.

Mrs Cameron had been spotted doing the rounds at the conference centre with her husband earlier in the week.

She had returned to their North Kensington home to care for the couple's three children, Ivan, six, Nancy, four, and Elwen, 19 months. But "Sam Cam" seemed determined to make the most of it after arriving back in Birmingham. She chatted to senior media and Tory party figures until just gone midnight before returning to her husband.

Also seen at parties in the Hyatt Regency were Mr Hague and shadow defence secretary Liam Fox. Competition to get into the champagne-fuelled events and mix with the shadow cabinet was fierce.

One journalist successfully posed as Mr Willetts to gain entry to a particularly well-guarded event.

The young doorman with the guest list had apparently never heard of the shadow skills secretary, who was already inside.