TALK TIME: Gordon Brown and David Cameron have already had their chance and this week Stoke-on-Trent's youngsters are attending a political conference of their own.

Pupils from primary and secondary schools across the area are visiting Stoke Town Hall this week for workshops and talks on local government as part of Local Democracy week.

The first group of youngsters from Oakhill Primary School, Trent Vale, met Councillor Ross Irving, Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader, ahead of their workshops yesterday.

Councillor Ian Mitchell, cabinet member for children's services, said: "Involving young people in local democracy is crucial to the future development of our city.

"We hope the conference will inspire all of our schoolchildren to take an active part in their communities."

Pictured, from left, are Oakhill pupils Grace Browning, aged nine, 10-year-old Phillip Adams and Sophie Woolley, aged seven.

Picture: Mark Scott