SWINDON'S MPs thanked all pupils leaving school and college in Swindon this year after the pandemic disrupted the end of term.

Schools closing and A-level and GCSE exams being cancelled because of Covid-19 affected thousands of students across the town.

In a joint statement, Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson said: “Along with our prime minister, we would like to pay tribute to all of you. Your last months of school and college have coincided with the greatest peacetime crisis our country has ever faced.

“Your education has been disrupted after years of your hard work and effort. Your lives have been disrupted.

“Because of the sacrifice you have made over the past months, you have helped to save hundreds of thousands of lives. Thank you.

“This crisis has meant that you have come of age and grown up a little bit faster. The qualities you have gained during this pandemic will make you one of the most important and influential generations in the peacetime history of our nation.

“Your generation will help to rebuild our country and build a brighter future for all. We will be forever grateful and extremely proud of you all.”