Two pupils from Mersea Island School have been quizzing top politicians at a special sitting of the Children's Parliament at Westminster.

Adam Leydon and Charlotte Powell, both 11, were among 60 schoolchildren from across Britain who got the chance to grill speaker Betty Boothroyd, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and schools minister Charles Clarke, during a session of the Environment select committee yesterday.

The year six pupils were winners in a competition to select children for the parliament from the eastern region.

The youngsters sat on traditional green benches, emblazoned with the Commons' portcullis coat of arms in committee room 14, one of Westminster's largest.

Teacher Dorothy Keay said the pair were quite overawed by their experience at the Houses of Parliament and impressed by the way they were dealt with.

"They have become more aware they have a voice that can be heard and there has been a good knock-on effect for other children and parents, especially on environmental issues," she added.

The children produced their own official-looking Order Paper setting out their questions on issues ranging from the way parliament works to the environment.

Later Adam was able to present an environment action plan to Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street.

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