Health, the environment and caring for the elderly were all on the agenda as Braintree primary school pupils consulted with members of Essex County Council.

Pupils from Bocking Church Street Primary School and Great Leighs Primary School joined 78 youngsters from across Essex at County Hall in Chelmsford as the council hosted a special primary school engagement day.

The children, who took part in various consultation activities with council members, commissioners and officers, spoke about choosing environment priorities, the challenges for older people, primary school health and bullying awareness.

Councillor Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for education and lifelong learning, said: “Events such as this are a fantastic opportunity to make pupils aware of how decisions are made at local government level and hopefully to engage the next generation of politicians.

“As a council we are always keen to listen to the views of young and we were very impressed by the ideas the children put forward.”

Councillor Norman Hume, chairman of Essex County Council, said: “It was fantastic to welcome the pupils to County Hall and involve them in some of the excellent work both underway and in development at the council.

“The children were full of enthusiasm and were a credit to their schools.”