A TEENAGER from Richmond has been playing a crucial role in a four-day summit dealing with pressing youth issues.

Ben Lacey, 16, was one of the three North Yorkshire members of the UK Youth Parliament who took part in the event, held in Northern Ireland.

He and Matt Windle, 18, from Harrogate, and Rosie Corrigan, 17, from Selby, joined 300 other delegates at the University of Ulster.

As well as debating issues they were also given the chance to question House of Commons speaker John Bercow and Tim Loughton, Education Under-Secretary.

Ben said afterwards: "Being at the annual sitting has been a fantastic opportunity to voice the needs and concerns of North Yorkshire’s young people and to bring back information that will assist our work on local campaigns to make a difference to young people’s lives."

Local youth councils in North Yorkshire are looking for new members in September and October and are appealing to anyone aged between 13 and 19 years of age to come forward.

Young people who are interested to find out more should contact James Parkes, the county’s Youth Council co-ordinator, on 01609-533932 or visit the website www.nyyc.co.uk