YOUNGSTERS at Matchborough First School got the chance to have their say at a recent Youth PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meeting.

The meeting, which was a combined Youth PACT and school council meeting, follows on from earlier meetings held at the school as well as Arrow Vale Community High School.

There were two representatives from each year group present, along with local policing officer Pc Paul Downes and Councillor Juliet Brunner.

Pc Downes said: "We believe that getting young people involved is the key to tackling antisocial behaviour.

"As well as taking the views of older students into account, we felt the views of younger children were equally valid, which is why we decided to include pupils from the first school.

"We hope that by demonstrating we are listening to young people we will continue to see a fall in antisocial behaviour in the Matchborough area."

Students have already put forward views and ideas for improvements which has resulted in more than 800 responses being received.

Juliet Brunner said: "So far we've been really impressed with the suggestions the youngsters have put forward and the way they have embraced the whole idea.

"Youth PACT gives young people a voice and even though the first school pupils are only aged between five and nine, they are the citizens of the future. They already have strong views on issues such as antisocial behaviour and it is only fair that they should have their say."

Jackie Harris, headteacher of Matchborough First School, said: "We feel it is very valuable for youngsters to have a voice in the community."