YOUNGSTERS from across the Bay are being invited to stand as candidates for the UK Youth Parliament.

Torbay Council's Youth Service officially launched this year's UKYP election campaign this month and candidates have up until December 5 to enter.

The aim of the UKYP is to give young people across the UK the opportunity to air their views to local and national government and organisations which have an impact on young people's services.

Torbay's UKYP member and deputy will represent the borough's young people at the UKYP's annual sitting. The Youth Service will be promoting the forthcoming UKYP elections by visiting local secondary schools and youth clubs.

Torbay's current UKYP member Will Bowles said: "I have really enjoyed my first year as the member of Youth Parliament for Torbay. The Youth Service has provided me with the fantastic support and guidance I've needed and we've achieved great things such as bringing forward the Youth Cabinet and organising the Your Bay 2day event which is due to take place in November.

"I would seriously recommend running in the UKYP elections to all 11 to 18-year-olds in the Bay. It is a brilliant experience, extremely rewarding, a great way to meet new friends and people who want to make a difference and most importantly loads of fun."

Torbay's current deputy member of Youth Parliament Daniel Olaiya said: "UKYP really has opened new doors for me. In addition to being Torbay's deputy member of Youth Parliament, I am also the UKYP media representative for the whole of the South West region, I have helped to make a difference to the local community, made loads of new friends and been to loads of brilliant events and functions.

"Will and I are looking forward to working with the two newly elected shadow members who will take up their roles as Torbay's member of YP and deputy member next year."

The UKYP is all about addressing the big issues which affect young people's lives, such as things to do and places to go, affordable public transport, bullying and sex and relationships education. UKYP is run by young people for young people and provides opportunities for 11 to 18-year-olds from all over the UK to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change.

They have more than 500 elected members and thousands of supporters.

Cabinet member for children's services Cllr Anna Tolchard said: "We support the UKYP elections in Torbay because we believe in the right of young people to have a voice at a national level and to be represented by someone who can express and share the views of their peers."

The Youth Service is currently working to support young people who want to stand in the elections. Application forms are available from local youth workers, libraries and schools across the Bay. Alternatively contact youth worker Tori Jeffcoat on 07795 971770 or via e-mail at tori.jeffcoat@torbay. gov.uk or youth worker Paul Savill on 07825 735007 or via e-mail at paul.savill@ torbay.gov.uk

For more information visit www.torbay.gov.uk/UKYP