EXMOUTH S newly-elected members of the UK Youth Parliament Devon are celebrating their victories after a bravely fought campaign in schools and youth centres across Devon. Twenty seven 11 to 18 year olds put their names forward in the elections which too

EXMOUTH'S newly-elected members of the UK Youth Parliament Devon are celebrating their victories after a bravely fought campaign in schools and youth centres across Devon.

Twenty seven 11 to 18 year olds put their names forward in the elections which took place on Saturday at County Hall in Exeter.

From the votes cast, 21 young people were elected - four Members of UK Youth Parliament each supported by four Deputy Members.

In Exeter there was a tie for Deputy Members so five Deputy Members were elected.

And of the new members elected Abbey Swain and Julian Ashwin of Exmouth Community College along with Alex Hall and Mark Collett of Colyton Grammar were elected as Deputy Members of UK Youth Parliament for Mid and East Devon.

The UKYP has been active in Devon for eight years and is a voice for young people on local, regional and national issues with 400 Members (MYPs) nationally.

Candidates took part in workshops and wrote their own manifestos, and the elections took place over nine days in schools youth centres and youth projects across Devon.

Devon County Council's Executive Member for Children's Service, Cllr John Smith, said: "This eighth year of representing young people in the UK Youth Parliament gave us another very strong field of candidates, all of whom had very strong manifesto pledges and a bravely fought campaign.

"My congratulations to the successful candidates, and I look forward to working closely with the four new UK Youth Parliament representatives and their Deputies over the coming year.