Marshmallows, trees and walks the focus of nursery election

IT IS an election which has had everything – furious campaigning, allegations of dirty tricks, and candidates who all need to grow up.

But these candidates are not fighting to lead the bear pit of the House of Commons – they are more at home in the sandpit.

Youngsters at a city nursery school have come up with their own policies, which they believe will win them their very own general election, based on tree climbing, woodland walks and toasting marshmallows.

Three candidates have been selected to head the Peek-A-Boo nursery election in Drumbrae and are currently canvassing their fellow pupils in a bid to win their vote next Thursday.

Niamh Woodrow, four, Josh Costello, five, and Reuben Bright, four, have come up with their own party logos, slogans and posters in a bid to convince pupils, parents and siblings to vote for them.

There have even been accusations of bribery after Niamh tried to win over voters by arriving with marshmallows on sticks for her fellow pupils to taste.

Nursery owner Sally-Anne Peek is thrilled at the way the youngsters have embraced their mock election.

She said: "The children were obviously aware that an election was taking place but it didn't have any meaning for them.

"Staff overheard lots of conversations between the children so we thought we would have our own election in a way children would understand.

"This has given children a chance to have a say in their own environment and vote on things which are important to them.

"We have had parents saying that they've had the most interesting conversations with their children about the election."

The children have been holding opinion polls every day in the run-up to the election, with the Toasting Marshmallow Party in the lead at the last check.

The party leaders will be stepping up a gear in the next few days by demonstrating the benefits of their policies by holding sessions in tree climbing, marshmallow toasting and woodland walks.

Richard Bright, Reuben's father, is delighted with the way the project has "captured everyone's imagination".

He said: "It's a real skill to be able to see things in the world around you and take it down to a level that children understand. It's a great way to explain to them what something as important as a general election is all about."

Niamh Woodrow, aged four, leader of the Toasting Marshmallow Party

Favourite activity: Recycling and composting

Biggest achievement so far: Playing a lead part in the Christmas nativity in front of 200 people

Political ambition: For everybody to experience a toasted marshmallow

Josh Costello, aged five, leader of the Woodland Walks Party

Favourite activity: Anything to do with fast cars

Biggest achievement so far: Winning a trophy for his footballing skills

Political ambition: For every nursery to include woodland walks in their weekly routines

Reuben Bright, aged four, leader of the Climbing Trees Party

Favourite activity: Tree climbing and everything to do with the outdoors

Biggest achievement so far: Riding his bike without stabilisers

Political ambition: To become Minister for Lego