TEENAGERS hoping to become the country's first elected youth mayor got a taste of civic life yesterday .

Sixteen contenders with their eye on the top job in Middlesbrough attended a workshop to find out how to put together a manifesto and run an election campaign.

The young politicians also had sessions on media training and policy forming.

During his or her year in office the young mayor will get to spend a £20,000 budget and act as the voice of Middlesbrough's youth as well as working with the town's first elected mayor - to be chosen on May 2.

Steve Stewart, Middlesbrough Council's head of corporate strategy, said: "The workshop is an important part of the young mayor process.

"We aim to make the post of young mayor a very real part of the town's civic life, so it's entirely appropriate that the candidates learn the essential skills and are put through their paces in these workshops."

Youngsters intending to stand need to forward their names to Middlesbrough Council by next Wednesday. The young mayor will be elected by a postal ballot of 9,000 secondary school pupils later this month