YOU'VE heard the candidates, the opinion pollsters and the political pundits. But what do our children - the citizens of the future - feel about the General election? And how would they vote if they were old enough?

The BEN went into the classrooms of Year 4 and 5 at Claypool County Primary School, Horwich, to find out how they've been affected by the electioneering of recent weeks.

At the tender ages of eight and nine, the 24 pupils in year four hinted at a close run race, with eight voting Labour, six Conservative and one Liberal Democrat.

The rather scary side of the scene were the nine who were quite simply fed up with it all already and opted not to vote.

Their views on the politics of the day were diverse to say the least, Grace Banks was perplexed to hear designer Calvin Klein did not live at no 11, Downing Street.

All the pupils were at a loss to name the third main political party, Labour and Conservatives were easily identified as were the photographs of Tony Blair and John Major.

Unfortunately poor Paddy Ashdown meant nothing to these youngsters but at the end of the day one of the pupils decided yes, he was the man for her.

Daniel Best was quite decided he was going to vote Labour as he reckoned Tony Blair was a "strong person".

Ashley Walker felt more emphasis could be placed on the environment and not one child in the class could think of any one, single thing the Tory government had done for their school since being in power.

Grace Banks however won herself the prize of the day by declaring no party could make Claypool a better school as it already had the best teachers there were.

What a difference a year makes. The pupils of year five were very au fait with the political state of play.

Everyone knew the three main political parties and all could name and place the three leaders.

In this class however the swing was very definitely in Labour's favour. Jane Coleman felt the Party would be good for interest rates and on the tax front. Her optimism however was determinedly challenged by Tory supporters Jack Gregory and Amber Lythgoe.

Both were of the opinion that the posters, placards and flag waving going on in Horwich was actually having little effect on the voters.

"People know who they're going to vote for anyway. All these posters are a waste of time," declared Jack.

It was John Major's experience which both Jack and Amber admired most and it was his time in the hot seat which both felt were his strongest points.

It was only when talk worked it's way around to The Wanderers fortunes that students showed just how enthusiastic they could be.

As for the politicians well unfortunately all agreed they tell lies to get into power!

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.