A COUNCIL is running a Big Brother-style election to encourage schoolchildren to take an interest in politics.

Pupils in Richmondshire are voting for their favourite of five district councillors after seeing how each performs during Internet discussions. Each week, the councillor with the least votes will be evicted. The first eviction will take place today, followed by a second on October 15.

The final two councillors will go head-to-head, with the winner getting a laptop to donate to a community group of their choice. The five councillors taking part are Sheila Clarke, Richard Dunn, David Morton, John Cronin and Linda Curran.