BUDDING politicians from West Oxfordshire secondary schools received some top tips from the Prime Minister.

Witney MP David Cameron met the pupils and answered questions as part of a Politics in Action event organised by West Oxfordshire District Council at its Witney offices.

The event aimed to raise awareness about local democracy and how council services affect the community.

The pupils created a presentation on a project that would improve a council service or benefit the local community, and then justified the expense given the financial crisis.

The students voted on the best presentation and a team from Burford School won.

Their idea was a young persons’ loyalty bus card, allowing people to collect points for bus travel, saving money and encouraging the use of public transport.

Hilary Biles, West Oxfordshire’s cabinet member for leisure, young people and health, said: “Engaging with young people and listening to what they have to say is very important to the council, so the Politics in Action day was very useful.

“The presentations were very impressive and certainly gave us a good indication of what is important to some of our younger residents.”

She said she could not say whether the students’ scheme would be implemented. However, she added: “It’s something that could be looked at for the future.”

Other schools taking part in the event were Abingdon and Witney College; Bartholomew School, Eynsham; Carterton Community College; Cokethorpe School, Witney; Chipping Norton School; Marlborough School, Woodstock; Henry Box School, Witney; The King's School, Witney, and Woodgreen School, Witney.