CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride welcomed Year five and six pupils from Stoke Canon Primary School to Westminster on Tuesday, January 17, where the pupils took a behind-the-scenes tour of Parliament.

The group visited various landmarks around the parliamentary estate, such as the the Royal Gallery, Central Lobby and both the House of Lords and House of Commons Chambers.

Following the tour, Mr Stride met the pupils for a question and answer session, where he talked about his role as a local MP and explained a little more about Parliament and how laws are made.

Speaking after the trip, Headteacher Richard Somerwill said: “This was the third time we have taken Year five and six to visit the Houses of Parliament and again it was a real success.

"Nothing can beat seeing the Houses of Parliament first-hand and meeting Stoke Canon’s local MP helped connect Westminster with back home here in Devon even though it seems like a long way away.”

Mel added: “It was a real pleasure to welcome such an enthusiastic and interested group of pupils to Westminster and to give them the chance to learn first-hand about what goes on in Parliament.

"I look forward to keeping in touch with the school in the future.”

Stoke Canon is one of 43 primary schools in Mr Stride’s constituency and their last trip to Westminster took place in January 2015. For more about the school, which was rated as "Good" in every category in its last Ofsted Report, visit the website: www.stokecanon.net .

Alan Quick