A COUNCILLOR went back to school when he was questioned by pupils as part of Local Democracy Week.

Councillor Stephen Preston, the Ryedale District Council member for Malton, met pupils from each year at Malton School to listen to their views on the work of the authority. Four captains from each year were given an hour to question Coun Preston on his work as a councillor.

Politicians were challenged to meet the younger members of the wards as part of Local Democracy Week, which was held last week.

Coun Preston said: "It is vital that young people and the issues facing young people are involved in local democracy but more to the point, it will help break down barriers when they realise that their councillor is, in fact, the working-class guy living next door who was once a pupil at their school."