Mercury editor Graham Smith has received a grilling from Year 5 pupils at Eastry Primary School.

Their teacher Karen Dean asked the pupils to write letters to Mr Smith asking why there was no children’s page in the Mercury.

The letters were part of an exercise in persuasive writing, in which the children were required to get their points across in a way that was eloquent but not too forceful.

Mr Smith went along to the school to discuss the letters, and to talk about his job and journalism.

He said: “I was asked to pick out some of the best letters, but that was so difficult because there were so many good ones.

“Some of the letters complained there was no children’s page, others pointed out that the Mercury could sell more copies – and boost our profits – by having one, and others suggested things which could go on a children’s page, such as puzzles.”

“The children made their points well, and I was put on the spot because there’s no children’s page in the Mercury and I admitted I hadn’t thought of one until then.”

The pupils have just produced the first copy of their own newspaper, EPS News, which will appear six times a year and includes interviews with children and teachers, school news and a word search puzzle.