ELECTION fever is gripping primary schoolchildren who are about to go to the polls today to elect a new member of the school council.

Four candidates are contesting the election at Kelloe Primary School, near Durham City, which has been designed to be as realistic as possible to help pupils learn about citizenship.

Deputy headteacher Paula Ford has been working with the children for the past term and the candidates have now written their manifestos, put up their posters, addressed the hustings and argued their case.

The ballot papers have now been printed and the first of the 109 votes will be cast today, after a final address to persuade the remaining undecided voters.

An independent member of the school's governing body will ensure fair play and, hopefully, the winner will finally be announced after the count later today.

Philip Jones is standing for the Green Garden Party, which promises a new pond and environmental improvements; Samantha Midgley represents the Rainbow Arts Party, which is campaigning to spruce up the school buildings with a fresh coat of paint; Amy Venner is standing for the Yellow Youth Party, which aims to bring basketball and more sporting activities to the school; and Jonathan Granaghan is standing for the Kelloe Blue Party, which hopes to start a football team and reopen the school swimming pool.

Headteacher Carol Musztacs said: "They have a last chance to persuade the voters with a final statement in the morning and then the ballot box opens.

"It has been a lot of fun, but they have really gone into it seriously. They have gone into the costings of their policies and have been fielding questions in the hall just like the real thing - they are all politicians in the making."