A HIGH school pupil took the reigns as Wigan Borough Mayor for the day last week.

Leon Warburton, from Leigh, visited a primary school in the borough and took part in a workshop on democracy before having lunch in the Mayor’s Parlour.

The 14-year-old St Mary’s Catholic High School pupil then went to a scarecrow festival in Standish.

He won a competition run by the local authority as part of October’s Local Democracy Week which asked school pupils to complete the sentence: “I support Wigan Council’s Deal by...”.

Leon’s answer explained how he helped homeless people by giving food, clothes and bedding to charities.

Leon, who also got to try on the mayoral robes, said: “‘It’s been fun. I was a bit nervous when I had to stand in front of children at the primary schools and answer questions but I got used to it.

“It’s important that young people learn about democracy because it’s our future so we should be able to see how it all works and how decisions about the future are made. I am considering becoming a councillor when I’m older.”

Serving Wigan borough mayor, Leigh West councillor Sue Greensmith, added: "Leon’s entry stood out and he had also looked into the role of the Mayor before coming along so had an understanding of what it was all about.

"It’s been very enjoyable to have him with me.

"He’s a confident young person and I can see that democracy means a lot to him."