THURROCK school pupils have been getting to grips with politics as part of Local Democracy Week.

Politicians across the political divide took timeout from their busy schedules to visit their local schools recently.

Among those taking part were Ockendon ward councillor, Barry Johnson, and ward councillor for Grays Riverside, Carl Morris.

Coun Johnson visited The Ockendon School on Monday October 13 where he chatted with students from all years.

He said: "It was fascinating. The students asked some very perceptive questions and they were particularly keen to discuss motorcycles.

"The use of bikes is quite an issue locally and they wanted to know what to do if they were to get somewhere where they could ride safely.

"I couldn’t promise to support them necessarily, but I explained the process they needed to go through.

"Contacting their local councillor is one step and now they’ve taken that."

And Coun Morris, who visited The Grays School on Wednesday October 15, said: "I met with members of the school council and the headteacher.

"I explained how the council works, where the money comes from and how it is spent.

"The school council is also preparing to seek Thurrock Council’s support for a pedestrian crossing in Hathaway Road close to the school gates, so I suggested a few things they needed to do.

"It was a great time, the discussion was wide ranging, and the young people asked some difficult questions."

Other visits included: Coun Diane Revell, Bulphan Primary; Coun John Everett (Mayor of Thurrock) Stanford-le-Hope Infants; Coun Sue MacPherson, Giffards Primary; Coun Charles Curtis, Shaw Primary and the pupil referral unit; Councillors Tunde Ojetola and Steve Veryard, Chafford Hundred Campus and Warren Primary; and Coun Diana Hale, Stifford Clays Junior.