A TEENAGE student has called on the Government to appoint a minister for men, claiming the lack of such a politician is detrimental to equality.

Reece Wilkes, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, is lobbying Harriet Harman, in her position as minister for women.

The 16-year-old, who is preparing to sit his GCSEs at Northallerton College, argues that a range of inequalities affect the modern man.

In his letter to Ms Harman, he points out that the Government has ministers for women, children and animals in its cabinet, but not men.

He writes: "Each year, nearly 35, 000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 10,000 men die from the disease.

"It is obvious that not enough funding is put into this nor not enough publicity, in contrast to breast cancer.

"This, surely, is evidence that a minister for men is much needed. "I could go on and on about the inequalities and injustices affecting men/boys in our ‘modern society’, however, if I did, I would be writing for hours."

Reece was keen to stress that he is in favour of equality for both men and women.

He has yet to receive a response from Harriet Harman.