ELECTION fever gripped a primary school as children went to the polls to vote for their inaugural house captains.

Candidates in year five and their teams had fun canvassing for votes at Oldbury Park Primary School in an election campaign which mirrored the country's general election.

The school in St John's has just launched a house system with children divided into four houses named after sporting stars Ellie Simmonds, David Beckham, Tom Daley and Jessica Ennis-Hill.

Tim Williams, year five teacher, said the school has been buzzing with election fever as the campaigns swung into action.

Candidates' posters had gone up around the school and each child gave an impassioned speech about why they should represent the house.

About 400 votes were cast in the election with a special assembly held on Tuesday to announce the winners who will take up their roles at the beginning of the next school year.

Mr Williams said: "We wanted to do it in line with the general election and in class we were talking about democracy and our voting system.

"In the morning, the houses divided between the two halls and the candidates gave speeches - I couldn't believe the confidence with which they spoke.

"The children then started voting with the polling stations run by the current year six who were issuing voting papers and checking the names off.

"The children loved it. They got really excited about it and there was a real buzz around school.

"I think the staff enjoyed it but more importantly the children really enjoyed it too."