SCHOOL pupils from Bury and Radcliffe travelled to London last week to present an environmental action plan to Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street.

Greenhill County Primary School pupils Christopher Rollinson and Peter Hickford (pictured in London), and Radcliffe's Wesley Methodist Primary School pupils Hayley Simm and Lauren Warwick (all 11) are currently among 60 members of the Children's Parliament on the Environment.

They and two pupils from Childwall, Liverpool, have won the right to represent the whole of the North West in the parliament.

The action plan contains ideas on how the Government can protect the planet for future generations and is produced by members of the new children's body made up of youngsters aged 10 and 11 who all won their seats in local and regional essay writing and debating competitions. The Bury and Radcliffe pupils were among around 80 youngsters from all over the country who spent May 18 on the House of Commons set at Granada Studios in Manchester, debating environmental issues in front of Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. Mr Prescott praised them for their motions and clarity of thought at Granada Studios ahead of their visit to the capital this week where they sat on a special select committee.

Pupils spent their morning in London grilling Mr Prescott, Speaker of the House Betty Boothroyd and Education Minister Charles Clarke at the select committee meeting where a range of environmental issues were covered.

They then enjoyed lunch at the Department of Transport, followed by a tour of the city. The "green" action plan, put together from the select committee findings, will be included in Parliamentary White Paper discussions.

The day concluded with a photo call outside Number 10 with the Prime Minister.

Greenhill headteacher Mr Martyn Pilling said: "This is a marvellous achievement by the children.

"Both schools are proud of their success and will continue to promote environmental awareness.

"This is about real government. The children's ideas will make a real difference in law.

"And once again it shows that schools in Bury are among the best in the country."

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