A Lancashire MP is set to welcome 500 students from his constituency to find out about his other role - as Speaker of the House of Commons.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who is MP for Chorley will welcome the youngsters, aged between five and 18, to Parliament where they will learn about laws, debating, voting and Parliament’s history - before taking a tour of one of the world’s most famous buildings.

Sir Lindsay initiated the ‘Speaker Day’ to give young people from Chorley a chance to visit Parliament – something that is often difficult for students who live in constituencies a long way away from London.

He said: “Distance shouldn’t be a barrier to learning about democracy.

“My constituency might be over 200 miles from Westminster, but children in Chorley should have the same opportunities to find out about how Parliament works as those who live down the road.

“After all, the members and the people who work here come from across the UK and beyond, so it is important to encourage the next generation – wherever they may live - to visit us to find out if a career in politics is for them.”

Groups of students from 18 primary and secondary schools from across Chorley will meet Mr Speaker during the day-long visit on November 24 and have the chance to quiz him about his work.

Many of the children will have to leave at dawn to make the 220-mile trip by train or via the M6 motorway to Westminster.

Headteacher Patrick Smyth, who is travelling with all 30 pupils in Year 6 from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Chorley, said: “At least half the class have never been to London, so visiting Parliament – and the capital – is a trip of a lifetime.

“Our pupils are very curious about the House of Commons, the building, what it is like inside and what goes on there, having read about it in books or watched politicians in action on TV - so they are very excited to see it with their own eyes.

“They met Sir Lindsay last September, just after he hosted the G7 Speakers’ conference in Chorley – so they are full of questions about his role refereeing the Chamber and how he keeps MPs in check.”