YOUNGSTERS discussed the tough issues of bullying, drugs, alcohol and the country’s financial situation at a county pupil council meeting.

Members of Dorset County Pupil Council put challenging questions to Dorset County Council’s director for children’s services John Nash and Cabinet member for children’s services Toni Coombs at the event at County Hall, Dorchester.

The group, made up of primary and secondary schoolchildren who represent pupil councils from each of Dorset’s pyramid of schools, meet once a term to raise concerns and issues from their area.

At their latest meeting, they were able to put questions on a number of topics to Mr Nash and Councillor Coombs including bullying, drugs, alcohol and the country’s financial situation.

Councillor Coombs said: “It was a pleasure to be invited again to the County Pupil Council. I was very impressed with pupils’ knowledge on big issues such as sustainability, bullying and the current economic climate.

“Every year the questions they ask us get more challenging and it’s great to see them getting involved with democracy and wanting to change children and young people’s lives for the better.”

Chairman of Dorset County Pupil Council Sophie Richards, 16, said: “I’ve really enjoyed being chairman of the County Pupil Council.

“We are all different ages and come from different backgrounds and we get together to discuss ideas and have our say on matters that affect us.

“We’ve learnt a lot and it was really interesting to get John Nash and Toni Coombs’s perspective on the issues that we are facing.”