A colony of Colne Valley beavers over-ran Huddersfield town hall as part of an expedition to find out how local democracy works.

Around 17 excited six to eight-year-olds from 2nd Colne Valley Beavers met mayor Martyn Bolt, who gave them an insight into how councillors make decisions on a day to day basis.

It is the second time that the group has gained special backstage passes into the town’s political nerve centre, thanks to the help of Golcar ward Clr Christine Iredale.

Assistant leader Joan Morton said that she believed it was important that the group understood more about the history of the town and how it is run. She said: “Just to watch their faces when they learn about the history makes a trip like this all worth while.”

The group was born out of a merger of Paddock Scout Group, Longwood 27th Huddersfield Scouts and Milnsbridge Scout Group of which prime minister Harold Wilson was once a member.

They meet at the scout headquarters on Pickford Street and Manchester Road in Milnsbridge every Wednesday from 6.30pm to 8pm.