Secondary school students followed the example of world leaders who met to discuss climate change last December.

The year nine pupils at South Craven School took part in a project inspired by the international political gathering staged at Cancun, in Mexico.

Head of geography Chantelle Conlan had decided that the school should have its own version of the conference.

She said she wanted her students to have a better understanding of the problems and possible solutions involved in the issue.

The pupils were set the task of representing particular countries.

They then had to negotiate how to halt or reverse the effects of climate change.

Among the countries which had their say were those with the highest carbon emissions, such as China, the USA, Britain and India.

A spokesman for South Craven School said: “All four of these countries would have a vested interest in being allowed to continue using fossil fuels.

“But other countries, such as Bangladesh and the Maldives, would have different views, as they are already suffering the effects of global warming.

“So it was not surprising that some countries were more co-operative than others.

“Such sessions enable students to become far more involved in the problems afflicting the world at this time and let them argue their points of view.”

The model conference was led by Liz Roodhouse from the Craven Development Educ-ation Centre.

A final report about the event — written by those year nine students who represented the media — will be available to view on the South Craven School website.