A PARLIAMENTARY candidate for the Liberal Democrats has said he was impressed with the political knowledge of students after a recent visit to a Catterick Garrison school.

Chris Foote-Wood, prospective LibDem parliamentary candidate for Richmond, visited Risedale Sports and Community College, said he believed the voting age should be reduced to 16 to allow youngsters to have a voice.

Mr Foote-Wood, who met pupils from year nine and 10, said he was “most impressed” with their knowledge of current political trends.

He said: “We had a lively discussion on various topics, and I was particularly pleased that most of the group said they would use their vote when they got it.

“So why should they not have it at sixteen? It was done for the recent referendum on Scottish independence which had a massive turnout.

“I was involved in the rights at eighteen campaign which reduced the voting age from twenty-one, and it would be great if sixteen year-olds could vote and involve them in the political process at an early age.”

Head of creative faculty at Risedale Sarah Cox said: “I’m sure that inviting Mr Foote-Wood to meet our students will help them to see what they might achieve in their careers, and show they have a voice in the world of politics.”