YOUNG people in Worcestershire are being encouraged to turn out to the polls to elect their representatives on both local and national cabinets.

Forty young people are standing in the Worcestershire Youth Cabinet elections and 25 young people are standing for the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP).

Open to 11 to 18-year-olds, the elections, which were launched by Worcestershire County Council in October last year, are in their fifth year.

The county is split into the six districts of Worcester, Malvern Hills, Wychavon, Wyre Forest, Bromsgrove and Redditch.

There are four youth cabinet seats in each district. The successful candidates will sit on the youth cabinet for two years.

And there are also three members of Youth Parliament (MYP) seats on the UKYP up for grabs. Elected candidates will be part of the UKYP for a year.

Liz Eyre, Worcestershire's County Council's cabinet member for children and young people, said she hoped many people would turn out to vote, so they could have their say.

She said: "It is important young people have an influence and shape the services that are key to them in their district.

"By casting their vote, young people will be electing the people they want to speak on their behalf, who will work to make sure their views are heard and listened to.

"We look forward to seeing as many young people at the polling stations as possible."

Droitwich High School pupil, Ario Baghieri, is among those young people hoping for a place on the youth cabinet.

The Year 10 pupil said: "I am standing because I strongly believe that the opinions of young citizens in Worcestershire are not voiced clearly enough within the local community. There are many opportunities for the members of the cabinet to get involved in influencing and improving the services, activities and communities for young people."

Voting for both the Worcestershire Youth Cabinet and the UKYP is taking place around the county from now until Friday, February 1, with results being announced at the Artrix Theatre in Bromsgrove on Friday, Febraury 8.

Polling stations are located at schools around the county, including Bishop Perowne, Elgar and Nunnery Wood in Worcester.

For more information visit www.ycworcs.org.uk or call Gemma Benton on 01905 779893.