CHILDREN from across South Ribble came together this week to learn about democracy at a mock council meeting.

The budding politicians from Leyland Methodist Junior School, The Coppice School, Cuerden School, Lostock Hall School and St Aidan’s School, voiced their opinions on a number of issues during the lively debate at the Civic Centre in Leyland.

The agenda included questions on recycling, wind farms, banning junk food in schools and whether teachers should use sweets to reward pupils.

After making their case for and against each issue, the children voted using the same electronic system councillors use in meetings and instantly saw whether the motion had been passed or not.

The hot topic of the day was whether sweets should be used as a reward, with arguments about obesity and tooth decay.

In the end the children voted against teachers using sweets to reward good behaviour.

The youngsters, aged between nine and 13, were joined by South Ribble Borough Councillors Jane Bell and Fred Heyworth, who gave the children a few tips on forming a compelling argument.

The debate was organised to encourage children to engage with the council and to give them a taste of how democracy works.

The Mayor of South Ribble, Councillor Graham Walton, chaired the mock council meeting.

He said: “It was a great meeting and I was very impressed.”