GRAYSHOTT Primary School children were given a lesson in democracy when they held their class captain vote under the supervision of East Hampshire District Council leader Ferris Cowper and his elections team.

Captains and vice-captains were elected for each school house.

With EHDC’s help the children ran their own campaigns, cast their votes with real ballot papers in genuine polling booths and learnt how the count and declaration is run.

Mr Cowper, who is also the ward member for Grayshott, announced the winners. He said: “This is the most marvellous example of how to introduce democracy and voting to young people.

“The boys and girls taking part here are much more likely to be the boys and girls voting and being candidates in years to come.”

Grayshott Primary headteacher Sharon Pritchard said: “EHDC’s team gave the children a really authentic experience of how a local election is run and even learnt a few things about how it is done.

“The pupils really responded to the challenge and worked hard to get votes and make sure the whole event ran smoothly. I would like to thank councillor Cowper and the EHDC elections team for all their help.”