YOUNG people of Keswick have made their voices heard about the climate crisis in the run up to COP26.

Pupils of St Herbert's Church of England Primary and Nursery School marched 1.5 kilometres last Friday with banners and posters to raise awareness about the climate emergency.

They completed the march from their school to Keswick's iconic Moot Hall and back as part of a national campaign, the Oxfam Climate Change March.

The distance is a reference to the 1.5 degrees warming that the IPCC has said needs to be achieved to avert catastrophic climate change.

Young people read poems and speeches outside the town centre landmark, expressing their concern about global warming and their hopes for change.

Headteacher Shelagh Hughes said that she was proud of her students: "It was really positive, I was quite taken really by the children's power of thought.

"I think Greta Thunberg has had quite an influence on them. They do seem to be very aware of it all and understand the issues.

"We spent a lot of time this week looking at the issue of climate change."

Parents, the general public and community leaders turned out to watch the peaceful demonstration.

And Cumbria County Council member for Keswick Tony Lywood read a speech of his own.

Mayor of Keswick Alan Dunn joined the young people on their march.

He said: "On behalf of the town I welcome and support you. It is your future that is important not mine. I will be buried in 50 years time but you will not. I also understand that whatever I say I am still another old grey haired man in a suit. We are the problem and we bear the responsibility for years and decades of inaction over climate change.

"I urge all old grey haired politicians in suits to heed the warnings of these young people and act decisively at COP 26 in Glasgow to make a safer future for all young people and a safer earth for all living things."

Keswick School and St Herbert's were both paid a visit by Push Krishnamurthy, a globally renowned activist who is currently walking to COP26 in Glasgow, his journey began in London and has 18 stops at colleges, schools and community groups.

Mrs Hughes said: "The children wrote poems on postcards we gave them to Push so hopefully they're going to get handed in to the important people when he gets there."