POLITICALLY minded youngsters have taken part in a school’s mock election.

Pupils at Greenfield Academy’s Sunnydale campus, in Shildon, County Durham, stood as candidates for Labour, The Conservatives, Greens, UKIP and the Liberal-Democrats.

They spoke to fellow students on a range of topics including why prisoners are not allowed to vote.

The youngsters voted at the school today, (Thursday, May 7) the same day as the General Election, for the young candidates who they thought were best.

Votes are still being counted but early indications are that Labour has won the poll.

Teacher Peter Davies said: “I am over the moon with how it went. The kids were really interested in what was going on some of them more so than the adults.

“The pupil candidates, aged between 12 and 14 years, went round the school and campaigned and spoke to the pupils.

“It ties in with a project running at school where we have spoken about election issues.”

Helen Goodman, Bishop Auckland’s Labour candidate, had visited the school to speak to pupils in the run up to the election about the parliamentary process.