BUDDING politicians are set to fight it out to represent their constituency’s young people at the UK Youth Parliament elections this month.

The ballot takes place on Tuesday, July 7 to elect Redcar and Cleveland’s Member of the UK Youth Parliament (MYP) and Deputy Member (DMYP).

Lucy Grogan, 14, Thomas Harvey, 12, Daniel Wall, 15, Jacob Wanstall, 14 and Timothy Would, 13 are the five candidates bidding for the role.

The candidate with the most votes will take the role as MYP, whilst the runner-up will act as DMYP.

More than 4,500 pupils are expected to vote in the election, as eight secondary schools have agreed to take part in the democratic process.

Once elected, the MYP will be expected to find out the concerns of other young people in the constituency and represent these views to decision makers on a local, regional and national level.

Councillor Christopher Massey, cabinet member for resources at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “We are delighted at the excellent turnout of candidates running to become Redcar and Cleveland’s Member of Youth Parliament.

“It is fantastic that young people of the borough will now have a voice, locally and nationally, so they can share their concerns and be heard.”

Voting takes place on Tuesday, July 7 in selected schools, and the count will take place the following day from 4pm at the 25K Youth Centre, Ayton Drive in Redcar.