HE is used to gracing the corridors of Parliament, but Lord Prescott seemed at home in a more humble setting – sorting out a traffic jam.
Lord Prescott, former Deputy Prime Minister and Hull East MP, stepped-up to the mark when hundreds of fellow visitors to Hull's Veterans' Weekend struggled to exit Hull's East Park.
He joked with Honorary Alderman Brian Petch, organiser of the annual two-day event: "I may not be Humberside police and crime commissioner, but I can be a traffic cop!"
Last night, Lord Prescott said of his public display of community sprit: "People were shouting at me, 'good on you, John!'
"Within half an hour or so the build-up was cleared and people were on their way again."
Lord Prescott was himself stuck in the jam.
"It was a mess," he said. "Kids were getting uptight in the back of cars and adults were getting angry.
"So I thought, 'there's only one thing for it'.
"I decided to get in the centre of Holderness Road and direct traffic."
Someone briefly lent him a high-visibility bib.
Lord Prescott, 75, allowed half a dozen vehicles at a time to pass through the park gates, before signalling for oncoming traffic to make their way along the road.
Mr Petch said: "That's John all over. He's a big supporter of Veterans' Weekend. Every year he's there – he's like a big kid.
"He likes to have a go on all the rides and loves walking around taking everything in and chatting with people."
Early indications suggest a record number of people attended over the two days.
Mr Petch said: "We had 46,000 last year and I'm pretty sure we beat that this time.
"It was fantastic – lots of happy faces and we remembered what the forces did, and still do, for our country."
One of the highlights was a display by the Parachute Regiment's display team.
"They went down a storm," said Mr Petch. "It was also nice to see the soldiers taking the time to sign posters for children."
It was the ninth year Hull's East Park had hosted Veterans' Weekend, which saw it transformed into a battle camp, complete with military-themed displays.
A collection of treats for soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan was held.
Captain Dave Mitchell, chairman of the Council of Ex-Servicemen's Association, helped organise the collection.
He said: "The amount donated was fantastic. I'll have enough items to fill 60 to 80 boxes for the lads and girls in Afghanistan.
"I would like to thank everyone who donated. It will mean a lot of the soldiers."
Lord Prescott said: "Hull Veterans' Weekend is a superb tribute from Brian and Hull City Council to the veterans.
"My wife, Pauline, and I normally enjoy a jive, but she has a bad leg, so we just had a waltz instead."
