TEENAGERS in Ripple have so impressed the parish council that they are to be given a say in local affairs through a junior parish council.

Parish chairman David Ebsworth said councillors had welcomed the idea when it was put forward by a parishioner Ray Shiel.

"Some time ago we were approached by some youngsters who wanted to know if they could help with community issues and we thought that was really nice," he said.

"There's only a restricted amount they can do but some of them gave a hand with distributing leaflets when we held a public meeting on the village regeneration scheme and children at Upton CE Primary School made a model of the parish.

"They are the ones who are going to inherit the environment we create, so we are keen to encourage them to understand this first step in local government."

Fourteen to 18-year-olds are being invited to stand for election to nine seats on a junior council, which will meet two or three times a year and report to the parish council.

The junior council will have a chairman and vice-chairman, its own agenda and minutes properly taken. Parents will be able to attend the meetings but not take part.

Issues raised will be reported to the parish council by the junior chairman and vice-chairman. The council already provides two slots for public comment, one near the beginning and one at the end of its meetings.

"We will try and help them with the structure of the junior council and a couple of parish councillors will act as mentors to give advice and support," said Mr Ebsworth. "Then we will let them drive it as they see fit. We want to hear what the young people want to do and how they're prepared to go about it and support it."

The parish lacks youth club and sports facilities but has a good parish hall with an active management committee looking for ways to increase its usage.

Anyone interested in joining or supporting a junior parish council should contact parish clerk Mary Barnett on 01531 635103.