WHEN Bury Council staged a conference on truancy, they could not have chosen better hosts than two pupils from St Monica's RC High School.

Sixteen-year-olds Joseph Mycock and Madelaine Riley can boast almost 100 per cent attendance records and have enjoyed national success in public speaking competitions.

The confident pair proved to be great ambassadors for the local authority when they addressed a packed conference, "Improving Attendance . . . Raising Achievement", on the importance of tackling truancy and bullying in the borough's schools.

The conference was held at Radcliffe Civic Suite last Friday (March 19) and attracted more than 100 guests including headteachers from local schools, staff from the council's education welfare service and representatives from other agencies such as the police, Connexions, social services and Bury Youth Offending Team.

The event, which was also attended by Ivan Lewis MP, aimed to underline the message that the welfare of young people is at the heart of the council's approach.

Alan Cogswell, Bury's social inclusion manager, said: "The two young people were the highlight of the conference. Not only did they introduce the speakers and thank them, they also listened very carefully to what they were saying and ad-libbed between the speeches. They were very professional."

Bury Council has one of the best records in the country for reducing unauthorised absences and it has a reputation for being fair but tough with truants and their parents.

Mr Cogswell added: "Bury is in the top ten per cent for attendance in the country but we want to improve on that as there are still some young people who are missing out on life chances."

After the Easter holidays every school child in the borough will receive a leaflet about improving attendance and posters will be put up in schools and public places.