PUPILS from a Leigh High School have had lessons in council chambers to help them discover how local government works.

Young voters of the future from Bedford High School were the first secondary school-age pupils to make use of the curriculum centre for citizenship education in Leigh Town Hall this week.

Role plays and debates in the Council chamber helped them understand how local government works.

The sessions will come in handy as the pupils, from Years seven to 11, are all student council representatives.

Since September primary schools have been making use of the sessions to teach children to be "active and informed" voters.

Teacher advisor Cath Jones said: "It's been brilliant. In the sessions we explore local issues that affect the children. The sessions aim to give the children a better understanding of how local government works."

In pre-visit work children learn about ethics and values and prepare an improvisation on the ideal citizen.

They then work on a series of workshops - exploring topics like crime and violence.

Cath said: "They look at how crime and violence impact the community and look at how they can make a difference as individuals. They also learn which organisations they can seek help from."

Cath recalled how one little girl felt she could give advise to her grandmother who had been burgled, after one of the sessions.

The workshops also investigate community needs and what the Council and parliament can do to help reduce these problems.

Cath said: "The panel is made up from people from the local community such as the police and magistrates. We are hoping more people will come forward to be on the panel, particularly people from voluntary organisations"

For bookings and further information contact Cath on 01942 767100.