Youths needed to enter politics

Young political hopefuls are being urged to help shape the future of their town by standing for its youth cabinet.

Twelve seats are available on the youth cabinet representing north, south, east and west Reading, Berkshire.

Candidates must be aged between 11 and 18 and live in one of the areas. The nominations closing date is 4 November.

The elections themselves will take place between 28 November and 9 December at polling stations in schools and youth centres.

Those elected will lead the monthly Reading Youth Forum, which is supported by Reading Borough Council and the Connexions youth service.

Pete Ruhemann, lead councillor for young people's services, said: "The council, the police, the local NHS and so on need to hear what young people think because young people are important in their own right and are, of course, Reading's future."