PUPILS who were moved by the inspirational story of Anne Frank will address the Scottish Parliament on the holocaust victim's birthday.

Megan Quinn and Rhys Lambert from St Columba's High School will make a presentation during Time For Reflection at Holyrood on June 12, what would have been her 89th birthday.

The teenagers, who will be there with classmate Sally Kane who was also involved in the project, will share the young diarist's message of social justice and equality for all in front of MSPs.

The pupils were among a group of 16 ambassadors who guided visitors around the school when it held an exhibition last year.

John Wilson, religious education teacher, said: "We were the first school in Inverclyde to hold this and we invited local primaries, visiting MSPs, MPs and Bishop John Keenan.

"The Anne Frank Trust in Scotland were so impressed with the pupils' hard work and dedication that they invited representatives from the school to address the Scottish Parliament.

"The exhibition allowed the kids to explore the themes of anti-racism and anti-prejudice and to use their experience of the Anne Frank diaries."

The group also addressed second years at Clydeview Academy and hosted an exhibition in Glasgow.

The pupils feel honoured to be chosen and are looking forward to the experience.

Megan, 15, said: "It is a very exciting opportunity and I am very grateful. It's nerve-wrecking getting up to speak in front of hundreds of important people but as I have experience in public speaking it helps alleviate my nerves a bit."

"Schools all over Scotland hold exhibitions but we are the first school to be chosen to speak at the Scottish Parliament.

"I was moved by Anne's story because of what she had been through and she died so young, she was only 15 and because she was a Jew at that time, her life was cut short.

Sally, 14, added: "I think she was so brave and I can't imagine being the same age as her and everything she went through."

Rhys told the Tele: "Over the past year Anne Frank Scotland has helped open our eyes to her story.

"It's such an exciting opportunity to be picked to speak at the Scottish Parliament. It's a great learning experience for us and will only happen once in our school career."

Mr Wilson says Anne's tragic story of trying to escape persecution is a relevant today as it was then.

He said: "Migration and asylum seekers are big issues in today's society."

The young people are among thousands of young people Anne Frank Scotland work with each year.

Tim Robertson, the charity's chief executive, said: "Sadly, hatred and the language of hate still exist in our society.

"The experience and message of Anne Frank is as relevant today therefore as it ever was.

"If we are to discourage and overcome hatred as a society, then it's down to young people – like Megan and Rhys - to live their lives by the values that Anne inspired, and use their voices to inspire change."