PUPILS as young as seven are developing a taste for politics thanks to a new school council.

St James CE Primary in Greenacre Street, Clitheroe, hopes to hold its first 'session of parliament' in May. And the pupils are warming up with their cries of "Order" and "Hear Hear!".

Head teacher Paul Adnitt wants to set up the ten-strong decision making body to introduce the pupils to politics -- encouraging them to have their say about how the school is run.

The council will include children aged seven to 11 from each school year from Year 2 up, and will be officially opened by the Mayor of Clitheroe, councillor Joan Knight, on May 5.

Each representative will be elected by their peers.

Mr Adnitt said: "Each class already has circle time when they are encouraged to talk about things that concern them in school or out. It can bring up things they are upset about or gripes they have about how the school is run.

"Parliament will give them time to think about improving the school.

"It is important to listen to the people our decisions effect and it also helps them want to be here because they feel closely involved."

But Mr Adnitt has already said requests to ditch school uniform or extend breaktimes just aren't feasible.

"Facilities outside school, play ground facilities and child buddy schemes, games in the classroom and school rules have already been flagged up. There is a wealth of information to tap in to.

"When they get older they will be ready to vote and they will have been brought up that it is OK to challenge the way things are done in a mature way and that they have the power to influence their own lives.

"It also gives them the confidence to stand up for what they believe in."