A SQUAD of students who aim to banish hate crime have taken their campaign all the way to Westminster.

The pupils from De La Salle High School earned a top five place in a Parliamentary awards scheme with their project aimed at creating awareness of hate crime.

The School Council Awards were open to every primary and secondary school in the country and De La Salle’s effort won them a place at the final in London.

De La Salle students made the grade with their hate crime project – which aimed to remove the barriers created by racism and intolerance of just being ‘different’ – whether it be age, sexuality, disability, religion, or even the area are you come from, the music people listen to or the way they dress.

Council members Stephen Pennington, Catherine Brown, and Rachel Eden travelled to Westminster for the final, where they just missed out on first place in the 11-16 age group to a London school.

Back home, there was more civic recognition – with the pupils greeted in the Mayor’s Parlour.