Barking MP Margaret Hodge has taken up concerns about the human rights situation in Syria after receiving more than 50 letters about it from secondary school pupils.

Mrs Hodge wrote to foreign secretary, William Hague after students from Barking Abbey School contacted her. Ms Hodge said: “It’s heartening to see young people taking such an interest in affairs around the world.”

She received a response from foreign office minister Alastair Burt, who added a handwritten note to his response, saying: “Do thank the students for their concerns.

“This is a very difficult situation, and we are doing all we can.

“...the public in the UK wish to see an end to the violence.

“Your constituents’ letter may just help a little bit more.”