CHILDREN from a Bewsey school were so incensed when they were told about the Third World debt that they pledged to do something about it.

The class of eight and nine-year-olds from St Alban's RC Primary have sent a petition to Prime Minister Tony Blair and are planning to attend a candlelit vigil in October.

Teacher Angela Dawe said: "The class had been looking at Third World debt and Jubilee 2000's idea to cancel the debt for a year as a gift for the Millennium.

"The children were actually saying that is not enough, why not cancel the debt completely? They made a five metre long paper chain with messages on it and made badges out of paper clips to symbolise the chains of debt. They have now promised to wear the badges until the Millennium."

The children were originally studying issues relating to the G8 Summit in Cologne, and when the problem of Third World debt came up they didn't understand what it was and decided to look it up.

Lucas Garner, aged nine, said: "I was quite shocked when I heard about the debt."

And Nadim Kozman, aged nine, added: "I was ashamed that the world was being destroyed because of us. I want people to stop the debt so we can save the world."

Mark Sherratt, aged eight, said: "I never really understood what debt was. We should advertise it so more people will support the campaign."

And nine-year-old Lucy Atherton added: "I was amazed about how people in the Third World can live. When they go to school all they have is a patch of dirt for a classroom."

Warrington North MP Helen Jones received the children's petitions on behalf of the Prime Minister. She said: "I am very impressed that Warrington children take such an enthusiastic interest in this very important issue and that they took the time and trouble to let the Government know their views."

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