A GROUP of 53 pupils from Pickering Junior School went to Westminster last week along with some of their teachers to meet their MP and tour the Houses of Parliament.

The pupils had a question and answer session with Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake which he said “put me through my paces”, raising issues such as climate change, funding for schools, the A64 and the Tory leadership contest.

Mr Hollinrake said: “I was not surprised to hear that climate change is a top issue of concern for them. I was pleased to be able to tell them that the UK achieved fifth place in the 2019 Climate Change Performance Index - although I agree that there is much more we can and need to do.

“Of course the leadership contest also came up - I was very pleased to see that they were taking such a lively interest in these hugely important local and national issues.

“It’s a great privilege for me to show them my place of work. They were

given a tour of the Houses of

Parliament which they clearly found as impressive and inspiring as I do every day.”