Jack Gebhard and Thomas Brookes from King Edward VI School were elected Members of the UK Youth Parliament for Northumberland earlier this year.

And they joined another 298 members at the historic and prestigious venue last Friday to debate the issues voted online by young people across Britain as the ones with most importance to them.

This is the first time in the Youth Parliament's history that it has held such a session in Parliament itself.

Both KEVI students were speaking on behalf of children in the county, while Jack put forward an environmental campaign for debate with fellow members from London and Wakefield.

Before heading to the capital, Jack said: "I'm nervous about speaking in the House of Lords but it will be great to be part of the first youth debate in Parliament.

"I hope this will happen more often because the environment is something which effects everyone in the world, so it's vital for young people to be allowed to have their say on what they believe and stand up to be counted."

The six issues discussed by the Youth Parliament, which does not work on party political lines, were a national public transport concession card for under 18s, university tuition fees, the age at which young people are deemed to become an adult, the fair and accurate representation of young people in the media, lowering the voting age to 16 and recycling and the environment.

Another KEVI student Johnathan Love, who was elected as a Deputy UK Youth Parliament Member, is a media representative.

The Year 9 student was in one of the select rooms in Parliament, hosting and working with the press and media.