PUPILS at Brookfield School got a first hand taste of political life when Fareham MP Mark Hoban paid them a visit.

As part of their GCSE citizenship course, Year 10 students had written to the politician to express their views on the proposed introduction of national ID cards.

Mr Hoban, pictured above, repaid the favour in person when he addressed a special assembly, sharing his own views and discussing some of those he had received.

"Do we spend money on the cards, or are there more effective ways of preventing terrorism? I don't think that personally I want to be required to produce a card," he told the gathered youngsters.

"Part of the political debate is to have that argument and it's important for people in my constituency, whatever their age, to join that debate.

"I hope one of the things you take from your citizenship course is more of an interest in politics."

Matthew Leeming, deputy head at the Sarisbury Green school, said the course was designed to show pupils they have a role to play.

"We're concerned about young people's knowledge of the political system and their participation in it," he said.

"The thing about the citizenship course is it's not meant to be only about citizenship, but it's meant to change their behaviour.

"It's much more real than other subjects, and they have to provide an example of when they have participated, be that political, charity fundraising or a musical performance."