A COUNCILLOR was given a good old-fashioned grilling over local politics when she met children at a Malvern school.

Coun Lucy Hodgson, who represents Malvern’s Chase division on Worcestershire County Council, spent a morning meeting students and staff at Malvern Wells CE Primary School.

After being shown round the site and attending a school assembly, she sat down to be interviewed by enthusiastic members of the school’s “reporters’ club”.

Coun Hodgson received a volley of questions to rival anything that comes her way at County Hall, with topics ranging from her role and what inspired her to become a councillor to her own school days and how things have changed and even her interests and favourite animals.

Carolyn Aynsworth, from the school, said pupils thoroughly enjoyed the visit. “It was a great opportunity for the children to learn about local politics,” she said.

Some of the children’s questions and Coun Hodgson’s responses were: Q: What does a councillor do?

A: I'm a county councillor, which means I’m responsible for things like education, vulnerable children and adults, libraries, museums, archaeology, roads and street lighting.

You also get district councillors who look after your bins, local parks, recycling, housing and planning applications.

Q: What inspired you to become a councillor?

A: I want to be able to make a difference and am happy to ask difficult questions.

I had the time and so entered local politics. When I became Mayor of Worcester, I left my job to work full time in politics.

Q: What training or experience do you need to be a councillor?

A: Life experience and being able to speak to people. It also helps if you can run meetings and are quite organised. You have to learn about regulations but you can always learn and train while working as a councillor.

Q: What was your school like? Have things changed a lot?

A: I enjoyed school. Things have changed a great deal.

There is a lot more pressure on pupils. My school was very strict – if we forgot our aprons, we got detention!