WINSFORD’S brightest children held their own ‘mini election’ as the political campaigns of Britain’s major parties ramp up.

Pupils from Winsford's 13 schools met for the Pupil Forum Wharton Primary School to discuss the importance of voting as the general election got underway.

Children discussed the local elections and demonstrated what happens in the voting booths and how to use the ballot box. Pupils had the chance of voting for one of four candidates.

Winsford Town Clerk, Alan Warburton, said: "It was wonderful to see how interested the children were in taking part in a 'real' election.

“Children are far more knowledgeable about who runs the country and their local community than we give them credit for and some of their questions really put me on the spot."

Four times a year representatives from the forum attend a Winsford Town Council meeting to report what's happening in their school as well as drawing councillors' attention to any issues.

The forum, which began at the Winsford Academy two years ago, allows children to discuss ideas for improving their learning and improvements to the school or its grounds.

Willow Wood Community Primary School student Laila Fulton, 11, said: "I voted to improve the parks and open areas and it won. If felt good to have an influence in that.”

Fellow Willow Wood Community Primary School student Daniel Wright, 11, added: “It's great that young people are being listened to.”

During the coming weeks pupils will vote at their respective schools to decide on resolutions about the future of Winsford.

The resolution that gets the most votes in each school will then be put forward to a Pupil Forum meeting on June 4 at Willow Wood Community Primary School.

The Pupil Forum will then select three resolutions, which they will present to Winsford Town Council at Wyvern House in June.