THOUSANDS of young people are going to the polls this month .

Pupils in 41 schools will be voting into office the new members of Derwentside's Young People's Forum (YPF), a campaigning body of elected representatives with a budget of £10,000 to spend on youth projects.

Four years ago, 56 young people were elected to represent their wards in the first YPF elections.

In 2004, more than 9,000 pupils exercised their right to vote.

Now, nearly 200 pupils are standing for positions, determined to have a voice on issues close to their hearts.

Thousands of pupils are expected to take part in the voting this week.

The candidates will then endure an anxious two-week wait for the results, which will be announced at an election night party on December 19, at the Louisa Centre, in Stanley.

Candidates, their families and friends are invited to the party in the sports hall of the centre in Front Street, from 6pm, with music provided by local youth bands. Face-painting, trampolining and a caricature artist will also be part of the fun.

The YPF is part of an award-winning young people's project called Spice.

The programme was launched in 2001 with the aim of involving young people in democracy and community issues.

Since then, more than 9,000 young people and 40 schools have been involved in the pioneering programme. Spice won the Government's Beacon award for its work with "positive youth engagement".

A council spokesman said: "Behind its broad aim of involving young people in democracy is a genuine desire to shape a new generation of informed young people who not only really care about their community - but have the power to make real changes affecting us all."

Derwentside district councillor Anne Taylor, cabinet member for strong communities, said: "We are building the foundations for a new generation of young people who really care about their communities."