STUDENTS discovered what life is like in the House of Lords when Baroness Helen Newlove gave a talk at a Northwich college.

Around 140 A-level law students packed into Sir John Deane’s College’s theatre to hear Baroness Newlove talk about her experiences as a peer.

She explained the tragic circumstances around the loss of her husband Garry in an attack by youths outside their Warrington home in 2007 – and how she became a reform campaigner to tackle anti-social behaviour and excessive drinking.

She was later given a peerage – going to the House of Lords to be a ‘voice for victims’ and was appointed as the Victims’ Commissioner by the UK government in 2012.

After giving her talk at SJD, Baroness Newlove said she was delighted to be able to share her experiences as a peer with the students.

“My eldest daughter Zoe studied for her A Levels at SJD so it was very nice to be able to come in and visit,” she said.

Jan Houghton, Head of Law at SJD, added: “We are thrilled that Baroness Newlove was able to give up some of her valuable time to talk to our students. Her experiences and insight into her work in the House of Lords was inspiring.”