Young people got a taste of political life during a Swale Youth Forum event at the council’s headquarters in Sittingbourne.

Representatives from six schools and youth groups met Mayor George Bobbin before having a lively debate in the chambers.

Topics on the agenda included the town’s regeneration plans and the £10,000 of grants that will be given to local youth groups.

Every December, the forum takes a trip to London to take a tour of the Houses of Parliament and get a feel of what it is like at the top of the political ladder.

This year, Youth Forum members will go to the Commons and meet Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson before having a private question and answer session with him.

Council officer Russell Fairman, who helps facilitate the meetings, said: “They are organised to give young people a voice in local politics.

“There are examples in the past where they have had issues – stuff like road crossings – and they have lobbied for change with the council, and those changes have been made.”