I WOULD like, through your letters page, to raise awareness of the events which took place during Local Democracy Week and to thank all those who took part.

I was invited to visit two middle schools, together with other councillors, where Years 7 and 8 played the role of councillors and discussed issues, coming to a consensus.

The visits were interesting and both entertaining and educational. Thank you to the headteachers of Ipsley and Walkwood schools for letting their staff and children take part. Thank you also to the councillors who took on such a large part of the organisation of the event.

There has also been a competition running in first schools for the best colouring of a picture of Rikki the Recycling Rat. The schools are submitting their winning entry and I am judging these for the overall winner. The announcement will be made soon and I will go to the relevant school to present the prize.

Also, as part of Local Democracy Week, young people from Matchborough Youth Forum visited the Town Hall and were taken on a tour of the civic suite and mayor's parlour, ending with a discussion on the work of the council and the role played by councillors.

In December, the council, in partnership with the county council, will be staging its own version of Question Time with students from a local high school.

Councillor Diane Thomas

Mayor of Redditch