CHILDREN in Halton have been better informed about voting and elections thanks to a new project

Take Your Parent To Vote! was used in all the boroughs primary schools during the run up to the general election.

The scheme was developed by the Institute for Citizenship with the aim of helping 7-11-year-old pupils to learn about local democracy.

The project was a non-partisan educational initiative and included detailed lesson plans, classroom debates and an exciting classroom election.

The pupils at Gorsewood Primary School, in Runcorn, were directly involved in the scheme and followed it through to the final result, taking their parents to vote last week.

Pupil Emma Winks, 10, said: I enjoyed doing this project and have learned about the way the local election works

Emmas mum Evelyn said: Getting involved with my child on this project has made voting more important.

Mike Cuff, Chief executive of Halton borough Council and Returning Officer for the local elections, added: It is so important to teach our young people of the importance of democracy and how it functions within the borough. Learning gets enhanced when it is interactive, especially when parents and children are working together.