SOUTH Dorset MP Jim Knight and the RSPB youth group met in Weymouth to discuss climate change.

Members of the Phoenix group travelled from as far as West Wales and North Yorkshire to attend the event at Radipole Lake Nature Reserve's RSPB offices.

The session focused on the role schools can play in teaching children about climate change and action they can take to prevent environmental damage.

Jim Knight said: "About 12 young people came from all over England to talk with me, surprisingly none from Dorset.

"We had a long discussion on climate change and what we're doing in schools and education generally to address it.

"As schools minister, I'm responsible for a £45 billion refurbishment and replacement scheme - that's a fantastic opportunity to reduce schools' carbon footprint."

He added: "I thoroughly enjoyed talking to them, they had lots of interesting and intelligent questions. We talked about energy efficiency and consumption and renewable energy in schools such as woodchip or bio-mass boilers."

The group also discussed using carbon offset schemes when schools were unable to cancel their carbon emissions.

Mr Knight said: "I think planting forests is a really important way of reducing carbon emissions and it's also good for birds if you make forestry more profitable and can improve woodland management.

"Cutting down trees lets more light into woods, improving the quality of undergrowth and environment for bird life."

The talk came after the group requested a meeting with the South Dorset MP.

It coincided with the Government's announcement this week that all secondary pupils will be given lessons in climate change.

For the first time issues such as climate change and global warming will be at the heart of the school timetable.

If anyone has a question for Jim Knight they can contact him via www.jimknightmp.com