FORGET Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg – chickens were the candidates in an election with a difference at a York primary school. Pupils at Ralph Butterfield Primary staged an election to choose the names of the school’s six hens.

Reception class children drew up a list of possible names, which the school’s eco council then whittled down to three options per chicken.

During “election” day, the children wore rosettes with their favoured name and every pupil got to vote using a genuine ballot box.

The vote was organised to give youngsters an insight into elections.

Meanwhile, pupils got the chance to run another York school for a day when they held their own election. At St Oswalds CE Primary, in Fulford, each junior class formed a party. The parties were Murphy’s Monkeys – named after a teacher, Malcolm Murphy – The Free Party, The Purple Giraffe Party, The Fun Friendly Fancydress Party, The People Party and The School Democratic Party.

Student teacher Katherine Rayner said: “It’s a really good idea because it gets the children into politics and makes them realise they can make a difference when they’re older.”