CHILDREN from Beech Grove Primary School in Wellington highlighted the plight of the wild rhino when they attended Somerset’s youth parliament.

The subject has been a focus for the school since a Year 6 residential to Paignton Zoo and since it won a life size baby rhino as part of the Torbay and Exeter rhino trail in the summer.

The two presenters, Fiore and Mandie, spoke passionately on their Save the Rhino topic, stating among other facts that no wild rhinos would be left in ten years if the rate of poaching was allowed to continue.

They were part of a team of four Year 6 pupils, supported by three Year 5 pupils, from Beech Grove who attended the youth parliament. They competed against six schools from across Somerset.

Each school provided a child judge with other judges from County Hall and from SCITT, which trains teachers.

Beech Grove’s pupils did not win the trip to the House of Commons and Westminster but enjoyed the experience and the Year 5s are considering a topic for next year’s event.