MENTAL health is the top priority in a ballot for young people on what should be debated by the UK Youth Parliament.

A total of 4,412 young people aged 11-18 years took part in the ‘Make Your Mark’ vote, a 45.3 per cent turnout, which was the second highest in the North East region.

The top five issues in the borough were: Mental health – 832; Equal pay, equal work – 717; End knife crime – 549; End period poverty – 501; A curriculum to prepare us for life – 448.

Darlington Youth MP Francis Humble, who will be taking part in the debate in the Houses of Parliament, said: “The Make Your Mark data from this year is both surprising and informative. It gives me a clear indication of what Darlington’s young people would like to see in the future, giving me a clear picture of both what to debate on and how to carry our local campaign forward.”

The top five national issues to be debated are: Put an end to Knife crime; Mental Health; Equal Pay, Equal Work; Tackling Homelessness and Votes at 16.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, added “It’s great to see that so many young people took part in this year’s vote and I look forward to hearing from Francis how the debate in the Commons goes.”

For more details log onto the website at www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/makeyourmark/

And for more information about Darlington’s Youth MP visit www.darlington.gov.uk/education-and-learning/click/darlington-youth-partnership/