YOUNGSTERS in Huddersfield got the chance to chat with a Government chief.

The teenagers came face to face with Britain's first Children's Commissioner for England.

Professor Al Aynsley-Green met the youngsters when he visited Huddersfield.

He was appointed to the new role in March 2005. The Commissioner's job is to give an independent, national voice to all children and young people, especially those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable.

His role also involves promoting awareness of the views and interests of children.

The Commissioner met young people from Dalton Tenants' and Residents' Association who act as a grants panel in the Kids Count scheme.

They make decisions about grants to be awarded to other groups of children who run their own community schemes.

They were chosen as a grants panel after they themselves were awarded a Kids Count grant.

They told Prof Aynsley-Green how they make decisions on grants and considered three new applications from other groups.

Kids Count provides grants of up to £1,000 to groups of children to fund their own projects.

It is managed by the IYCE (Involving Young Citizens Equally) Programme which is part of Kirklees Young People's Service.

He also met a group of young people from Dewsbury who are all members of Dewsbury Youth 4EM, a discussion and social group for young people aged 13-19.

ICYE supports and helps run the group. It has completed a five-week training programme and are putting together an accreditation folder.

Another group to meet the Commissioner were students from Rawthorpe High School who are working with Kirklees Council to produce a young people's version of the Children and Young People's Plan.

The Commissioner spent the afternoon at Brian Jackson House, the home of the National Children's Centre in Huddersfield.

Clr Geoff Alvy, the Kirklees Council cabinet member for Children's Services, said: "I gave a very warm welcome to the Children's Commissioner for England.

"I'm delighted that we had the opportunity to showcase some of the excellent work that young people have been doing in Kirklees. We hope the Commissioner enjoyed his visit and finds it informative."