THE latest young candidates for the Youth Parliament are preparing to pen their manifestos.

Worcestershire's next generation of politicians will move a step closer to representing their views on a local, regional and national level this month (November).

Eleven to 18 year olds who are standing for election in the latest round of United Kingdom Youth Parliament (UKYP) elections will now attend a series of special candidate information evenings.

Three seats are up for grabs in the elections, which are being held in the county by the county council’s Youth Support service.

These are in West Worcestershire, which is currently occupied by Alice Murphy from Worcester Sixth Form College, East Worcestershire which is currently occupied by Ario Bagheri from Droitwich Spa High School Sixth Form, and North Worcestershire, currently occupied by Ellen Cochrane from North Bromsgrove High School.

Now the candidates have handed in their nomination forms, they get the chance to write their manifestos at several county-wide Candidate Information Evenings. These events are all from 6.30pm until 8pm, starting tonight and on Thursday, November 19 at Malvern Youth Centre; Tuesday, November 10 and Tuesday, November 17 at the Redditch Youth House, and Monday, November 16 and Monday November 23 at the Kidderminster Youth House.

Councillor Liz Eyre, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for children and young people (12-19 years), said: “Now’s the chance for young people in Worcestershire to step forward and have their voice heard on a local, regional and national level. By standing for election, they will also be given the chance to not just share their views, but also the views of their peers.”

Voting will take place from Monday, January 25 until Sunday, February 7, with results being announced at County Hall on Saturday, February 20. Young people can visit ycworcs.org.uk or call Kirsty Fraser at Worcestershire County Council on 01905 827489 or email kfraser@worcestershire.gov.uk