Children run Tower Hamlets Council for a week

Children have been put in charge of Tower Hamlets Council for a week.

Students from five primary schools across the borough visited the town hall to learn about the democratic process and take part in mock debates.

They were taught about the different levels of local government, and given the chance to dress up as the council speaker and mace bearer.

Debates included how best to allocate playground funding and whether women should have the vote.

Students came from Culloden Primary Academy, St Edmund Catholic Primary, Hermitage Primary, Stewart Headlam Primary and Bangabandhu Primary schools.

Mayor John Biggs said: “I was delighted to meet a very eager group of students from the borough at our council chamber. It’s wonderful to see children so engaged with what happens here at the council and why the community’s voice is so important.”

10-year-old Mellina Benmerabet said: “I really enjoyed looking at other people’s points of view and debating because it gave me a taste of how people would actually debate if it was a serious case.”