YOUNG people across the county are being encouraged to vote at the county's second Youth Council elections which begin next week.

Potential candidates are on the campaign trail to become elected following a series of Making Your Mark' events arranged by Herefordshire Council to show young people what's involved in becoming a youth councillor and get help in writing their manifestos.

Of the 23 seats available countywide, next week begins a public election for eight of them in the towns and surrounding areas of Leominster and Wigmore, Bromyard and Ross-on-Wye.

The young people elected to the Youth Council will represent 11-18 year olds, ensuring that young people are involved in influencing decisions on issues that matter to them.

As Julian Wharam the citizenship co-ordinator at the Minster College Leominster, explained: "Supporting the council goes right to the heart of what good citizenship is all about, inciting a desire to participate in community issues."

Candidate leaflets have been sent out to the Minster College and The Priory in Leominster, Queen Elizabeth High School in Bromyard, John Kyrle High School in Ross on Wye, the Teme Valley Project in Wigmore and Youth Centres and Info Shops in Ross on Wye, Leominster, and Bromyard. Details of how to vote are on the back of these leaflets.

Councillor Don Rule, cabinet member for children and young people said: "I would urge young people to exercise their rights to vote. Young people's views are very important. We need to work with them to make sure the services we provide are appropriate now and in the future."

All candidate statements and details of how and where to vote are available on the Youth Council's website: www.herefordshireyouthcouncil.co.uk.