THE next generation of conservationists from Sexey’s School, Bruton, met Prince William at the top of the Shard in London.

They discussed the plight of endangered species in light of the illegal trade in ivory.

The Duke of Cambridge is the Royal Patron of the charity Tusk, which campaigns for the ban in ivory trade and he made his global address with live satellite links to Tokyo and Johannesburg, on the eve of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species conference in South Africa.

Tusk promotes education, supports communities and helps protect wildlife such as elephants and rhinos through its tireless conservation work and sustainability projects throughout Africa.

Prince William said: "I am not prepared to be part of a generation that lets these iconic species disappear from the wild. I fear we will not know what we have lost until it has gone."

The ivory trade is estimated to be worth up to £15 billion each year and is responsible for decimating populations of elephant, rhino and many other lesser known species.

Currently, one African elephant is killed every 15 minutes, which means the species could become extinct in as little as 10 years.

Sexey’s headmaster Irfan Latif said: “It has been a great privilege and honour to accompany this group of Sexeians to attend the Tusk charity’s Time for Change event at the Shard.

"We have heard Prince William, alongside the other patrons, speak passionately on conservation and how current and future generations must act now to protect and preserve endangered species from being wiped out.

"Our Sexeians were impressive as always and asked the Prince searching questions on conservation.

"He really took the time to engage with them and I’m sure has inspired a future generation of conservationists.”