GLASGOW City Council Leader Frank McAveety has been put under the spotlight by some of the city's harshest critics - teenagers.

Mr McAveety is visiting nine city schools to speak to pupils in fourth to six years ahead of the council elections on May 4.

He attended Eastbank Academy, in his own Shettleston Ward, to be put through his paces by inquisitive politics and modern studies pupils.

The council leader's plans caused some controversy last week when the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association said schools should say no to visits this close to an election.

They come in the first year 16 and 17-year-olds will be entitled to vote in council elections.

However, Mr McAveety said it was vital young people are given as much information as possible before they reach the ballot box.

The former teacher said: "Every school I've been in the kids have been spot on and the questions have been really precise and they care about the issues.

"Obviously you've got a situation where you've got teenagers having the chance to be able to vote in council elections and I'm really concerned that young people can answer the question, 'What does the council do?'

"So when they come to make a choice, at least they are thinking about the issues."

Headteacher Gordon Shaw said that Mr McAveety is a regular in the school and was quick to point out that elected members from all parties, including Scottish Tories leader Ruth Davidson, have carried out visits with pupils.

Mr McAveety took a class of around 40 youngsters of varying ages through a presentation about the council's structure; income and spending; and its vision and priorities; before taking questions.

Headboy and headgirl, James Dempster and Marta Nowak, both 17, took the chance to sit in on the council leader's presentation with classmates.

They both said it was important to meet politicians and find out first hand about the work they do.

The Labour leader was asked by pupils why he supported the Labour party and what Brexit would mean for Glasgow.

One youngster asked what the party would do if they failed to gain a majority and would it form a coalition with the SNP.

Mr McAveety did not rule out the idea - but made it clear he would never join with the Conservative party.

Another pupil asked if having opposition members on scrutiny committees held back the ability of the ruling party to push through their plans.

Mr McAveety said: "Questions from teenagers are the hardest. We're trained for a wee bit of combat but from the teenagers the questions can come right out of left field.

"Today there was a cracker: the boy asked would we form a coalition with the SNP. The kids are keen to ask them so you're keen to give them a full answer.

"Trust young people and know that young people have got their own awareness and understanding and they will not tolerate anyone that is trying to use their position for propaganda purposes.

"If we are building a society where young people have an informed choice then give them the chance where elected members, whoever they are, are encouraged to come in to school and speak to them about the important issues."