KNIFE crime, teenage pregnancy, sex education and even the legitimacy of the EU Treaty were hot topics during a young people's question time session held at Trafford Town Hall.

A packed council chamber of more than 60 pupils from schools including Lostock College, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls and Loreto College gave councillors a grilling on Tuesday as part of Local Democracy Week.

"It was very interesting and there was quite a high level of questioning," said council leader Councillor Susan Williams.

"Right at the end, there was a question on why politicians want to know the views of young people when adults aren't even being asked their opinion on the Lisbon Treaty, which was very intelligent."

Cllr Williams said the event proves that, contrary to popular opinion, young people are engaged with politics.

She said: "It doesn't matter what school they are from, young people have got something to say. But what is interesting is that they have also got solutions."

The panel event - which was broadcast live on the web - also included council chief executive David McNulty as chairman, Labour councillor David Acton and Liberal Democrat councillor Jane Brophy, as well as members of the Trafford Youth Forum.

During the event, individual school representatives also met their local ward councillors.

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