PUPILS at Skipton Girls' High School learned all about the responsibilities of Parliamentary life when the town's MP Julian Smith paid them a visit.

Mr Smith told them about his experiences as a backbencher after he was elected to the House in 2010, and how, after the Conservative victory in the 2015 General Election, he was promoted to a position in the government whips office.

He also told Year 12 and 13 Politics students how he took on the role of Vice-Chamberlain last year, which involves informing the Queen of the daily events of Parliament.

Mr Smith explained that he had the pleasure of meeting the Queen on a regular basis and would stay at Buckingham Palace during the official opening of Parliament as part of the tradition of his role, and answered a wide range of questions.

A spokeswoman for the school said: "The wide range of differing political views amongst the students themselves resulted in an array of questions being asked which covered a variety of different topics. Students were determined to ensure that Mr Smith gave them detailed answers and were not afraid to probe further if they felt that their question had not been adequately covered.

"The students were left with with hunger for more, and Mr Smith left with the assurance that a trip to Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament would be arranged."