THE Somerset Rebels speedway team welcomed a surprise guest on Friday when Boris Johnson visited the Oaktree Arena.

Johnson, the favourite to be the next Prime Minister, was at the stadium as part of the South West hustings for the next Conservative leader and more than 200 Tory members were present.

Rebels promoter Debbie Hancock said: "I was astounded when I received a call on Tuesday asking if the Oaktree would be available for a function on Friday lunchtime.

"Although we had the British Sidecar Speedway championships to prepare for in the evening, the clubhouse was available so I was happy to take the booking.

"When it became clearer that we would be hosting the likely future Prime Minister I was over-the-moon.

"We are not just about speedway here at the Oaktree, we are a lot more than that.

"Unfortunately, due to a busy schedule it was not possible to persuade Boris, who after all loves a bike ride, to stay around and enjoy our evening's Sidecar action, but he did take a keen interest in what goes on here at the Oaktree Arena.

"He confessed to me however, that he had never been to a speedway meeting.

"Nevertheless, I don't suppose there are many speedway venues that have hosted a future Prime Minister on a raceday."

Johnson also visited King Alfred School while he was in the area - click here to read more.