A UNIQUE group of teenagers from Worcestershire is blazing a trail by getting together to address problems affecting youngsters in their town.

The newly formed Pershore Town Youth Council, which came together for their first meeting just a few months ago, is already making major inroads in improving life for younger people.

The council of 12 students from Pershore High School are aged between 13 and 18 years old and they are headed by 16-year-olds Alec Smith, who was elected the youth mayor, and Emma Hawtree, deputy youth mayor.

The initiative was the brainchild of Chris Parsons, mayor of Pershore. He was adamant that he wanted the youth to have a say in what happened in the town, and so approached Clive Corbett, headteacher at Pershore High School. Mr Corbett liked the idea and was quick to take it up and get it started.

Following a vote throughout the school, the youth council now holds meetings which are open to the public, while agendas are posted on the noticeboard both at the town hall and the school, to maintain a clear and transparent democratic process.

The youth council has not been slow either in getting stuck into a major activity which will brighten up Christmas for residents, as they are now sole organisers of this year’s festive lights switch-on.

Usually a very simple affair, this year promises to be bigger and better than ever before, thanks to the dedicated team, which is organising everything from road closures, entertainments and fireworks to celebrate the occasion.

Alec Smith said they thought it was important to do something to mark the turning on of the lights, and had even held a competition so that a youngster could be the person turning the lights on.

“We want to get everyone involved. It’s a time for children, so we want to make it like that and ensure they have lots of fun,” he said. Coun Parsons said: “Usually, the event is just a 15-minute affair, so this year, the youth council has come up with some ideas that are very exciting. I’m sure this will make a big difference to Pershore.”

Other ideas that they have in the pipeline include getting a noticeboard put up in the town that will deal just with youth matters and events, to keep everyone updated on what is happening.

They also want to put together a music festival in the spring. Coun Parsons said he was a little hesitant at first with what ideas the youth council would want, but had been impressed with how fair and selfless they were being.

“I always like to do things differently as town mayor and I have always wanted to do something like this. They have their own budget and have their own say in things. I was a bit apprehensive about it at first as we didn’t just want them coming along saying they wanted a nightclub. But my apprehension was completely unfounded and they have come up with some really great ideas that can help the whole town. This has been a success from the beginning,” he said.

The youth council get ideas from the school council on the issues to tackle, along with tutor groups.

Alec Smith said: “This is just a great way for people of my age to have their say. It is really exciting that we have our say in this way. We were all a bit nervous at our first meeting but it went really well and has done ever since.”

Miss Hawtree added: “My friends in Pershore often tell me things they would like in the town, so this is my way of being able to be a voice for them and others of our age. I thought it would be nice to get involved within the local community too.”

Mr Corbett said he was very proud of his pupils becoming so involved within Pershore.

“They are going to be looking to establish bonds between the community and the youngsters that haven’t been here before. We are one of the foremost runners in this type of thing in the country, which is something very exciting for us all to be involved in,” he added.

The Pershore Christmas lights turn-on will be held on Saturday, November 28, along Broad Street near the Christmas tree between 2.30pm and 5.30pm.