Pupils discussed literature with politicians as part of a campaign to improve literacy among Witham schoolchildren.

Youngsters from Powers Hall Junior School in Spa Road visited the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday to meet town MP Priti Patel and Nick Gibb, Minister of State for Schools.

They visited the Palace of Westminster before meeting the two MPs to discuss their favourite books and were quizzed on reading, times tables and history.

Ms Patel launched her Get Witham Reading initiative in April after Government figures showed the town had one of the lowest literacy levels in the country.