WILTSHIRE Council is to broadcast its full council meetings live online from October 21.

The move means that members of the public unable to attend meetings in person will be able to watch meetings live, or later on, helping them to participate in the political process more easily and effectively.

As live streaming and recording processes have evolved and become more widely available a number of other councils have adopted this system.

Ease of access to council meetings may also mean greater transparency and might encourage more people to get involved with their council.

Meetings that are not viewed live will be available for up to six months to view any time online.

Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott said: "Making our meetings more accessible to people is very important to us and we are delighted to be able to announce our new webcasting broadcasts during local democracy week, as we think it is an important new channel to help us reach people in a new way."

As part of Local Democracy Week the council is also engaging future voters by putting together a resource pack to help children understand how their local councillors make financial decisions.

Children will learn, through discussion and role play, how best to use scarce financial resources as they debate the merits of the different projects and vote to decide which should be funded and which should not.

Teachers are also encouraged to have fun being a heckling member of the public who asks difficult questions.

Schools are being encouraged to visit the council to see democracy in action, or let the council know if they would like someone from the council to visit them. As well as this information packs have been sent to all primary schools in Wiltshire.