BOURNEMOUTH East MP Tobias Ellwood joined hundreds of primary school pupils in their bid to highlight the urgent need for education for children across the world.

He met more than 400 pupils at St Katharine’s in Hengistbury Head and heard their reasons for backing the national Send All My Friends To School campaign.

Every pupil was involved in creating a huge ‘X’ on the school field, waving their paper buddies – symbols of the campaign.

Pupils enjoyed creating the symbol in the summer sun but were aware of the need to stand up for the rights of children across the world.

Teacher Rachel Dickinson told the Daily Echo: “The children are outraged that some 57 million children across the world do not have a school place and they wanted to do something about this.

“They have such fantastic energy and enthusiasm and know that they could make a real difference.”

All 466 pupils at the Rolls Drive school made a colourful, cut-out buddy, with a written message to the government, to remind politicians of their promise to make education available to all.

The buddies were presented to Mr Ellwood during his visit in the hope that he will deliver them to Prime Minister David Cameron.

The campaign has been organised by the Global Campaign for Education UK and is asking teachers and their pupils to be creative and remind world leaders that all children throughout the globe have an equal right to learn.