THE youth has spoken in Hay-on- Wye, with – in playtime and home time – its primary school pupils adding their support at the ballot box to a campaign aiming to reassert the book town’s ‘independence’.

Hay was declared an ‘independent’ kingdom by famed bookshop owner King Richard Booth in 1977 and last Thursday the town turned out to ratify their independence.

And, unlike their Scottish brothers and sisters, the people of Hay returned an overwhelming show of support for independence, with 91 percent of the votes, appropriately registered on old library stubs, in favour from a break from the UK.

Among those were 141 ‘yes’ votes from Hay Primary School, with six ‘no’s and two ballots spoiled.

“Unlike most countries, Hay decided that there would be no minimum voting age – as long as you can hold a pen and have an attitude you deserve to vote,” said campaign manager Anne Brichto, who helped teach Hay’s youngsters about the democratic process and the history of voting in the UK.

The town’s nominated ‘Crown Prince’ Derek Addyman, of Addyman Books, was quick to offer his commiserations to the Scots, who took the unique decision to open their own vote up to 16-year-olds.

He said: “They fought a strong and impressive battle but, unlike Hay, their people were just not ready to make such a giant leap.”

The result has caught the attention of local MP Roger Williams, who agreed that something needs to change.

And like Hay’s Crown Prince Derek Addyman, he believes that change should start with the Welsh town’s English postcode.

He said: “I have campaigned for the postcode to be changed from HR which gives the impression that Hay is in England and not Wales.”

However Mr Williams falls short of supporting the Prince’s bid for a HOW postcode, and he also warned over another of the kingdom’s demands.

He said: “I would urge caution on applying for Hay to become a World Heritage Site as the designation incurs many responsibilities but no funds to carry them out.”

In another split from Westminster, however, Welsh Assembly member Kirsty Williams said she is fully behind the bid - praising Hay for attracting Nobel Laureates and US presidents to the town.

More than 530 ballots were counted on Thursday, and it was King Richard Booth – who captured the country’s imagination 30 years ago – who came out of retirement to read the result at the Swan Hotel.