Budding young politicians from across York will get the chance to see how a real council meeting works this week.

The Rt Hon Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Janet Hopton, will show pupils from Clifton With Rawcliffe Junior School round the historic Guildhall and council chamber on Thursday, 2 February. The youngsters, aged between nine and 11 years of age, will get the opportunity to hold their own debate in the council chamber, chaired by the Lord Mayor.

They will debate the motion: 'This chamber notes that the government proposes that young people should continue to receive education or training until they are eighteen years old.

'This chamber resolves to support schools, colleges and employers in providing as many opportunities for education and training after sixteen years old as possible.' They will then be given a guided tour of the Mansion House before tucking into their packed lunches in the state dining room.

The visit follows work by the group into 'what a councillor is?' as part of which they interviewed their local ward councillor.