A CABINET minister faced some tough questions when she held the first of a series of school surgeries in her County Durham constituency.

Government Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong was quizzed by pupils at Wolsingham School and Community College on various issues which affect them.

They spoke about recent job losses in Weardale, the price and quality of school meals, school transport and poor facilities for young people.

Sixth-formers were especially keen to discuss student finance and the recent dispute over A-level grades.

Iain Kelly, 17, who lives in Howden-le-Wear and hopes to graduate in radio frequency engineering, said: "People of our age are the next generation of voters and we want the world to stay a decent place for when we go out to work. We would like a fair deal.

"It is very important that we are listened to and I think she took notice of what we said. We got standard answers to some of the questions but I think we put some difficult ones."

Ms Armstrong said she hoped to hold more school surgeries around her North-West Durham constituency.

She said: "It is important that politicians listen to our young people and take on board what they say.

"What impressed me was the obvious care the have for their local community."