CHIPPENHAM Michelle Donelan MP says young people should be able to have their say – even if they are not yet able to vote.

She was speaking after holding a youth surgery at the recent Atworth Village Safari event on Saturday, June 8.

The MP said: “I hold democracy workshops across the constituency at schools and try to be as accessible as I can for young people - just because they do not have a vote does not mean they should not have a say.

“I was impressed by the passion that children at the Atworth Village Safari had for our environment and tackling climate change - a cause very close to my own heart as we must safeguard our plant for the future generations.”

The Atworth Village Safari event organised by Jeremy Langley provides those taking part with a map of the village to visit several houses and village sites.

To begin the day, Miss Donelan enjoyed breakfast at The White Hart public house, raising money for Churchfields School Pool, and then hosted a youth surgery at the Atworth Youth Club, alongside the club’s pop-up café.

Young people from the village and surrounding area asked the MP about a range of topics from Brexit to reducing plastics.

The Atworth Youth Club runs throughout term time on Tuesday at 6.30- 8.30pm for Years 5 and 6 and on Wednesday from 6.30-8.30pm for Year 7 and above.

The youth club is run by Joshy Newton, who organises a varied and fun timetable of activities to entertain young people from Atworth and the surrounding area.