YOUNG people in Worcestershire are being sought by the county council to get involved in democracy and decision-making at local and national levels.

The search is on for 11 to 18-year-olds to stand for the Worcestershire Youth Cabinet and the UK Youth Parliament.

The youth cabinet is made up of four young people from each of the six districts. It meets monthly to discuss issues raised by young people and also has opportunities to campaign and get involved directly in influencing decisions and policy-making.

There are also three Member of Youth Parliament seats up for grabs at a national level, which will see each of the candidates representing a different constituency within Worcestershire.

The parliament aims to give young people throughout the country a voice that will be heard and listened to by local and national government and agencies with an interest in the views and needs of young people. It meets once a year and has more than 300 elected members from across the UK.

Councillor Liz Eyre, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for young people to play a part in democracy and shape how services for them, and their peers, are decided and delivered."

Young people interested in becoming the next generation of decision-makers must take part in their local Making Your Mark Day in December. The events, which will determine which candidates go through to the main elections next year, will give young people the chance to learn more about the roles and get help writing their manifesto.

The Making Your Mark days will be held on the following dates and venues: Wychavon district, December 5, Pershore Riverside Centre; Redditch district, December 5, Redditch Youth House; Worcester city district, December 6, Worcester City Youth House; Wyre Forest district, December 6, Kidderminster Youth House; Malvern Hills district, December 7, Malvern Youth Centre; Bromsgrove district, December 7, the Ryland Centre.

All of the manifestos will then be published, with public voting taking place via text, online and by ballot in youth venues, including schools, between January 22 and February 3.

Young people interested in finding out more can log on to the website at www.ycworcs.org.uk/represent or call 01905 779893.