It's a jungle out there!

8.21.37pm GMT Mon 13th Nov 2006

POLITICAL JUNGLE: Competition winner Coun Jon Bamborough (left) with Bispham High pupil Greg Nash in the undergrowth

IS this the political match up of the future?

The town's most popular councillor came face-to-face with the Bispham High student who gave him the biggest grilling during local democracy week.

Coun Jon Bamborough was the last left in the jungle in Blackpool Council's e-experiment I'm a Councillor, Get Me Out Of Here, where school kids and politicians met online in internet forums.

Hundreds of students posted questions, before eliminating councillors whose answers they didn't like in The Big Vote.

But no-one more than Greg Nash.

The 14-year-old was today awarded a £20 book voucher for being the most switched-on student in Blackpool, quizzing representatives on everything from gun crime to the future of Blackpool tourism. The Year Nine pupil said: "I was never particularly interested in politics, but I did have some questions for the councillors.

"I didn't know anything about manifestos and local councils before but when I read some of their ideas, like raising the drinking and voting age, I didn't like them and wanted to ask them more. I liked Coun Bamborough because he answered all the questions."

The experiment, based on the ITV programme I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, which has contestants undertaking a variety of tasks in the jungle, was aimed at getting young people more involved in politics.

Greg said: "I never watched the TV programme but I think it was a good way to get kids interested in politics.

"It got us all talking and we shared ideas, which was fun.

"I think it was also good for the councillors to hear what we had to say and what questions we have because we will be grown-ups soon and we will be the ones doing the voting."

Anchorsholme Coun Bamborough said the experience had been more pleasant than eating live grubs and eye balls, but still proved tough for him and his colleagues.

He said: "It is great to meet Greg, he and his friends gave us a good grilling and I think it will help some councillors get an idea of what is important to young people.

"I think I won because I made sure to answer every question which was sent to me, which I think the kids appreciated - and I loved doing it.

"It is very refreshing to hear from young people and I am glad we were able to engage with them for local democracy week."

heather.butler@blackpoolgazette.co.uk