A GROUP of youngsters involved in creating a giant mural of Tranent have been invited to Geneva to take part in a United Nations discussion on Childrens' Rights.

In total 16 primary school pupils from the Fa'side area will travel to the UN offices to meet the High Commissioner and discuss their work.

The children, who come from Elphinstone, Windygoul, St Martin’s RC, Ormiston and Sanderson’s Wynd primaries, were chosen to help create the final piece in the StreetsAhead Tranent project, using the ideas of their classmates to inspire their work.

The finished mural celebrates Tranent's historic past, its present and the future which local children would like to see.

The project was led by members of the Children's Parliament, along with local groups, the Fa'side Area partnership and East Lothian Council as part of this year's Festival of Architecture.

The children involved will take part in the United Nations Day of General Discussion on September 23 this year, when children's rights are the topic up for debate.

The UN will look at, in particular, the need to look at environmental issues on behalf of children and whether there is enough done within laws protecting their rights and making environment-related laws, policies and practices are child-sensitive.

The Tranent mural is of interest because it encapsulates the ideas the pupils have for the future of the town and how they would like to see it designed as they grow up.

Cathy McCulloch, Children’s Parliament director, said the mural had offered a rare opportunity for children to be at the heart of change in their community.

She said: "The support from East Lothian Council and the area partnership and their commitment to making this a genuine opportunity for children to engage with people of all ages across their community and to have their ideas taken seriously sets a new standard in engagement.

"The opportunity for children to take their messages directly to the heart of the United Nations in September in such a creative way is a demonstrable acknowledgement from the local authority to their children’s achievement and potential."

Councillor Shamin Akhtar, the council's education and children’s services spokesperson, follwed the mural project through its two month development.

She said: "It has been great working with Children’s Parliament on this project. East Lothian is deeply committed to making sure that the voices of children and young people are listened to about any decision that will affect them.

"This project in Tranent involves children in influencing the planning for the future of their town – how it should look, what resources there should be. This is something that will affect them now and for the rest of their lives, if they stay in the area.

"It also aligns so well with Curriculum for Excellence and builds on work in which they are already involved in their schools. I know they have really enjoyed meeting new people and hearing their stories.

"StreetsAheadTranent has helped them to become confident individuals, able to play a significant role in shaping Tranent for themselves and those who come after."