STUDENTS from The Meridian School in Royston joined other North Herts youngsters for a question-and-answer session with a group of leading authorities. To mark Local Democracy Week, students gathered at the Plinston Hall in Letchworth, to raise issues rel

STUDENTS from The Meridian School in Royston joined other North Herts youngsters for a question-and-answer session with a group of leading authorities.

To mark Local Democracy Week, students gathered at the Plinston Hall in Letchworth, to raise issues relating to activities for the young, recycling, transport, health and safety.

A six-strong panel of experts met with the youngsters to discuss issues.

The panel included three North Herts District Council councillors, performance director for the Rhythms of the World festival, Bob Mardon, and North Herts director of the Minority Ethnic Forum, Mohammed Alam.

Cllr Tricia Gibbs, the district council's portfolio holder for community engagement, said: "This is the first time we have run an event like this and it was a great success which we will be repeating.

"We wanted to mark Local Democracy Week and involve more young people in the democratic process, which is vitally important.

"The students responded with enthusiasm and we were all impressed by their lively questions and intelligent comments. We will be taking much of what they said on board and seeing if we can respond to their needs and concerns."

A spokeswoman for the school said: "The students got the opportunity to raise some of their ideas and concerns which is really important. It makes them feel like they are part of the community.